We Speak Music

Salwa Rewrites Nightlife’s Narrative On ‘Ghost You’

Published

5 months ago

December 9, 2024

What does it mean to reclaim your power? For Salwa, it’s about turning frustration into art. Her latest single, “Ghost You,” does exactly that, blending electro-pop and space disco into a fierce anthem of defiance. The Lebanese/Palestinian-Scottish artist has a knack for transforming the personal into the universal, and this track is no exception. With its hypnotic beats and candid lyrics, “Ghost You” offers a raw and empowering look at nightlife’s messy underbelly.

Salwa’s artistry is steeped in storytelling. Raised in Beirut and now thriving in East London, she’s carved out a career that spans acting, filmmaking, modeling, and poetry. Yet, music remains her ultimate medium of expression. Her genre-defying sound, influenced by icons like Justice and Caravan Palace, reflects the highs and lows of city life—a mirror of her own experiences navigating relationships and mental health as a bipolar woman.

The music video for “Ghost You” is a visual feast. Directed by Ted Clarke, it pairs retro 80s gymnasium aesthetics with grainy Super 8 textures to create a dreamlike yet haunting world. The video captures the duality of nightlife, from its sparkling allure to its bitter realities. Salwa’s commanding presence shines, drawing viewers into her orbit and underscoring the song’s defiant message.

What makes “Ghost You” truly remarkable is its relatability. Salwa’s lyrics tap into the frustrations of modern social dynamics, from unwanted attention to the exhaustion of navigating nightlife’s chaos. But the track flips these frustrations into something empowering. The female chorus, a pulsating backbone of the song, transforms personal anger into a collective roar of strength and solidarity.

Salwa is an artist unafraid to push boundaries. With “Ghost You,” she’s created a track that’s not just music but a statement—a call to own your narrative and refuse to be diminished. It’s this fearless authenticity that sets her apart, making her a voice to watch in the ever-evolving landscape of modern music. If “Ghost You” is any indication, Salwa is on the cusp of something extraordinary.

We Speak Music

Waz-u drops ambient gem ‘Vermillion’ ft. Lilyg

Published

13 hours ago

April 25, 2025

Don Reed

London-based multi-instrumentalist and producer Waz-u returns with his second album, Preludes: Dusk Psalms, set for release on 16 May 2025 via independent label Biodiversity. The 15-track record further refines the artistic depth of his debut, blending electronic textures and classical compositional techniques in an intricate, immersive listening experience.

Ahead of the album release, Waz-u is dropping an exclusive vocal version of ‘Vermillion: G Major’ from the album, accompanied by its original instrumental version. ‘Vermillion’ with Lilyg will be released on 18 April 2025, evoking intimate indie-folk and pop and follows the release of a vocal version of ‘Lament’ with Tom Norrington. ‘The singles are a way to give a voice to the atmosphere of the record and to lyrically encapsulate some of the themes explored,’ explains Waz-u. ‘Lily and Tom are good friends of mine and have both been listening to early iterations of these preludes – it felt right to involve them directly on this record.’

‘Preludes: Dusk Psalms’ marks a new branch of Waz-u’s emerging sound, guided by the duality of tradition and innovation. Combining his musical roots in early ‘90s dub techno and classical music, the album weaves carefully layered synthesizers and electronics to evoke the ambience of sacred music — from the gentle timbres of a choir or an organ to the quiet, open, and reverberating spaces of a church. Also featured throughout the album is experimental musician G9 LUV, who creates textures and drones by bowing his bass guitar, resulting in cello-like sounds. The release follows Waz-u’s 2024 debut LP, Prayer For Dawn, which merged dub, techno, and electronica in an exploration of the ritualistic traditions associated with both organized religion and dance.

Bringing the album’s themes to life, Waz-u will celebrate the release of Preludes: Dusk Psalms with a special performance at Our Holy Redeemer in Clerkenwell, London on 14 May 2025. Set against the church’s resonant acoustics, the event will feature live performance arrangements, including a choir, with further details to be announced soon.