London-based pop, afrobeat, and electronic producer/singer-songwriter S.A.A.R.A returns with a nostalgic groove of a single entitled "Deliverance."
S.A.A.R.A's rousing production and Debby Harry-reminiscent vocal stylings are a distinct feature of her craft that's gained her quite the broad and loyal following. With musical influences like Gil Scott Heron, Sly, and the Family Stone, Fela Kuti, Little Dragon, Bjork, and Kate Bush, you can trust that S.A.A.R.A's sound is just as innovative as it is experimental.
Now releasing her moving and grooving single, "Deliverance," S.A.A.R.A teamed up with Rebecca Speller on flute, Nick Evesham on tenor sax, Thomas Porter on bassoon, and Mackadena's drum programming. Produced by S.A.A.R.A, Mackadena, and Adriano Desire, this new track is nothing short of bliss as all artists send us off into a dreamy, nostalgic, and energetic 80s groove that's wildly experimental.
Hitting play on "Deliverance," the track opens with a loud and proud electronic drum arrangement that peels back the first groovy layers of this sweet single. Once the warm bassoon and bright flute begin floating in, S.A.A.R.A's bass licks ramp up the energy while setting the tone with a carefree, semi-jazzy, and electronic sonic arrangement.
We truly admire the in-depth blend of electronic and organic instruments in this track; it perfectly highlights S.A.A.R.A's experimental and broad creative approaches.
Once S.A.A.R.A's makes her breathy and Debby Harry-like vocal appearance, she sings of being adamant about finding what she's searching for in life while yearning for someone's tender love. This song is the perfect groove to lift your spirits, blast on a car ride, or simply play in the background for an easy-going and feel-good experience.
You never know what you're going to get with S.A.A.R.A, and on her latest single, "Deliverance," she surpasses all expectations. Find the new hit on all streaming platforms.
We are delighted to be sharing your new single with the world; as you created this record, what was your songwriting process, and how did it come about?
This is the third song I wrote for this project, and I found myself encountering fears around how and whether I could do this. The first song I wrote, Forest, felt like a homecoming, and the second track, 'Grace Jones' perhaps, was the continuation of beginner's luck. But as I wrestled with developing the bassline for this track into a song, I realized how important this musical voyage was to me. I began to get comfortable with setting out to discover what I could create without knowing what was going to happen next. All I had was a feeling that I was on the right path and I mustn't give up.
This song started as a bass riff paired with a shuffle drum beat made out of layering up Logic x drum loops. I was listening to a lot of Fela Kuti at the time… as always… and wanted to create a track that played homage to the way his tracks are structured; building up from a single element into a lush and rich arrangement before tapering off to end with a solo instrument ringing out. The song started to come together when I scored the bassoon in the arrangement - as an interplay between the bass and the big expansive 70s style organ. Once I had the instrumentation organized, the lyrics started to materialize. I wanted to speak to the experience of living into the expansiveness of my decision to explore making music and live into my creativity's freedom. Deliverance' is an anthem for those not willing to trade up what they know in their heart to be true. It's a song for those no longer able to compromise on following their dreams, even if the journey is of Odyssean proportions!
After going on a 10-year hiatus, what were you most excited about getting back to, and why?
I realized that I love gigging - there's nothing quite like it. You create a moment in real-time, in a real space, that you share with real people. I love going to gigs - the euphoria as the band or DJ plays your favorite songs is epic. But then, to be performing - it's another level. Our shows are a symbiotic relationship with the crowd, whether big or small. We set out to make people dance and have a great time, and when they do, it spurs us on even more - it's such a buzz. Getting to write and create is also an important part of who I am. It gives me such freedom in self-expression that it can be hard to come by as a black woman. This particularly hit me during the summer of 2020. We were in a national lockdown in the UK and also dealing with, on a global level, the fallout from the murder of George Floyd. I had questioned whether making music should still feel like a priority for me, but then I remembered that music is my revolution. I get to show up, make noise, take up space and use that space to make an impact. Through music, I get to have a voice, and now, more than ever, it feels like something I have to keep on doing.
Looking back at everyone you've ever met and worked with, what is one piece of advice you would give that helped you through tough times?
I discovered and stood for never to slow down, shrink, change, or apologize for people not 'getting it. With innovation, there is always confusion because people want to stick to what they know. So I don't allow discussions of how it's usually done or how someone thinks it ought to be done to sway me from my path. Creativity is alchemy, a response to the questions that you ask yourself, the experimentation of colliding sounds, beats, and words.
I often think of my favorite artists like David Bowie, Bjork, Kate Bush starting out in a room full of raised eyebrows and sideways glances. But now, they are the benchmark of innovation in contemporary popular music. Although I never met him, this quote by Bowie keeps me moving through challenging times… and great times too;
"I think it's dangerous for an artist to fulfill other people's expectations. If you feel safe in the area you're working in; you're not working in the right area. Always go a little further into the water than you feel you're capable of being in. Go a little bit out of your depth. And when you don't feel that your feet are quite touching the bottom, you're just about in the right place to do something exciting."
What are you expecting people to take away from your next record, "Deliverance"?
This record is about having faith in your path, in your process, and never giving up on what you are looking for. I want the listener to feel empowered in their freedoms, including something as simple as the freedom to choose how to move your body in dance.
I want the track to communicate a sense of openness, to be able to stand alone in the vastness of life and not feel daunted by it, but to feel free.
What's next for you?
I am currently working on the Deliverance video that will be out soon and then have two amazing remixes lined up for late summer that I'm super excited for.
We are also looking forward to getting back to playing live and are on the hunt for some festival stages to host us this summer before getting back into the studio this autumn to record the next EP.
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