Maya Salafia – Swim (2024)
Igniting her passion for music at an early age, singer-songwriter Maya Salafia began composing music at age 9, and by age 13 she was turning heads with her debut EP. Stoking the embers, Salafia became a notable up-and-comer in the pop music industry with 2021’s ‘First Grade’. In 2022, she saw a roaring fire in the works with her single ‘Everlasting”, and in 2023 she placed first in the New England Music Festival’s ‘Vocal Performance with Instrument’ event. The latest addition to her discography is the single ‘Swim’.
Known for her storytelling skills, Maya Salafia weaves poetic lyricism in tender melodies. The first single in two years, ‘Swim’ inserts more pop influences as compared to the indie-folk ‘Everlasting’. Upbeat and toe-tapping, ‘Swim’ is one of those songs made for a road trip as you sing along to your heart’s content. Multi-instrumentalist Owen Korzec’s bold guitars match his steady drums with Salafia’s charming Sheryl Crowe-esque vocals binding it all. Yet, while a harmonic symphony, a suffocating discontent exists in its bittersweet style.
Produced by Korzec and Brad Young of BKY Studio, ‘Swim’ is as complex in its melody as it is in the theme. Capturing the intricacies of “falling in crush”, the joy and butterfly feelings twirl about with bubble gum pink pop; however, the grittier feelings of confusion, frustration, anger and inner turmoil linger in Salafia’s vocals and clever lyricism. Salafia explains:
“Most people don’t plan to start having a crush, it just kind of happens. That’s what ‘Swim’ is about, the kind of feelings that catch you off guard; the kind that make you feel a bit silly, the kind which you have no choice but to give into.”
The kaleidoscopic rush of a crush does not abide by age or temperament, if you’ve got it bad then you’ve got it bad. Think about all these reality shows depicting first love and crushes, my favourite being Married At First Sight, so there has to be something to it. Oscillating between dark regret and optimistic hopefulness, Maya Salafia delicately explores human fragility in the most powerful experience: love.
Find out more about Maya Salafia on her Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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