HAYLA’s spectacular debut album DUSK via Restless Minds/Believe UK was released on November 1st and is the culmination of three years of hard work, vulnerability and a passion for storytelling through songwriting. Releasing the first single to the album, “Treading Water” just a few months after her ground-breaking song “Escape” with Kx5 back in 2022, HAYLA has been making a name for herself not just as a powerhouse vocalist, but prominent songwriter, DJ, producer and more for years.
DUSK is a 10-track album that explores the raw and vulnerable emotions of HAYLA herself, in a way no other artist has been able to articulate them musically before. The album explores the emotional inner-turmoil that is caused by heartbreak and the need to get back up again stronger than before. The album consists of only original songs in multiple genres, written and performed by HAYLA. She worked with many talented producers to bring this album to life, including Andy Sheldrake, Blanke, Carl Ryder & Nick Henriques and more.
While the entire album is special and meant to be enjoyed from start to finish, there are a few stand-out songs. The album’s opening song, “Only I” written with none other than Blanke (John Paul David Orchison) is a hauntingly beautiful ballad about heartbreak and the after effects of losing someone who once “held the night, under darkened cold skies” in the eyes of HAYLA, backed with a minimal house beat. “Unfold” is another stand-out, which focuses on the internal battle of wanting connection but respecting one’s own-self and need of space to heal from heartbreak. This track has break-beat and house elements, and vocalizes the conflicting emotions of self-respect and loneliness in a seamless way.
“Embers” and “Fall Again” both touch on how the passion you feel for someone can impact you long after a relationship has ended. “Embers” is a metaphor for the emotional fire you can feel for someone, and the “Embers” are the memories you remember once the fire has been put out. “Fall Again” speaks on what happens once you are healed from a heart break, but see that person once again and second-guess your own strength and question if you will “Fall Again” for that person.
This album puts the story, HAYLA’s life story, at the forefront of the album. Not only are the electronic and instrumental elements catchy and would stand as a stellar-house track on their own, the instrumental elements support and do not overpower the focus of the album: her powerhouse vocals and intelligent story telling. The title album and last song on the album,“DUSK” rounds her story out perfectly. Her most experimental track to date houses 12-part choral vocal swells and a comforting beat, produced, written and composed by HAYLA herself, inspired by her favorite time of day.
Her debut headline show and album release party will take place at The Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood, CA, performing with DJ SiLVA on December 4th. The show is almost sold out, purchase tickets here before it is too late and stream DUSK now.
Leave A Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.