With the release of her latest EP ‘GHOST TOWN’, Nigerian indie-pop powerhouse SOLIS4EVR takes listeners on a dizzying ride through the complex emotions one can experience when dealing with a broken heart.
Bursting with electrifying guitar riffs, pulsating rhythms, and 80s inspired synths, the 6-track collection sees the ’Abeg’ singer set the all-too familiar doom and gloom that accompanies a break-up, against up-tempo instrumentation, and bouncy lyrical anthems brimming with hope, to produce a series of addictive, indie-pop bops that prove there is in fact life on the other side of the heartache.
Commenting on the addictive extended play SOLIS4EVR says: “‘GHOST TOWN’ is a world I created as a way to release in my life; it’s a dark and delicate story but the wonderful thing about being a creator is the ability to bend and mould things, so I turned something dark into something fun and pop and something to dance to; it’s my gift to myself, to the world. I hope it’s as healing to someone as it was for me to make!”
In the run up to it’s release this week, we caught up with SOLIS4EVR to get the lowdown on ‘Ghost Town’…
Congrats on the release of ‘GHOST TOWN’ – how does it feel to be putting new music out into the world?
Thank you so much! I’m just completely elated to putting out music again. It took so much to get here so it’s something I don’t take for granted at all.
How would you say your new material compares to the tracks featured on your debut EP ‘Stairway To Heaven’?
I would say they are in different worlds because I’ve grown and changed and come into my true self so much more since then. On the new records, you can feel how free in spirit I am, how settled I am in self and sound. I will always be thankful for the old records because they got me here, but I am so excited for the world to hear the new.
Talk us through your creative process when making new music?
I often times write when I am overcome with feeling and sometimes when I am working with a producer, the beats made inspire what I will write about, but one thing that is consistent is that I will always tap in to the most inner parts of me. Introspection is key.
Where’s your favourite place to write?
I could write anywhere in the world. Physical space doesn’t really matter because I’m not here anyways.
Do you find you’re more inclined to create when you’re happy, or sad?
Definitely when I’m sad, oh dear, I be having so much to say then (laughs).
Your music touches upon a few genres, from pop, to alternative soul, and indie rock – how would you best describe your sound?
Transcendental Pop; but really I’m just a pop star who cannot fit into a singular box.
SOLIS4EVR x Dreamer Isioma – ‘sorry 4 calling’ (Official Visualiser)
We absolutely LOVE ‘sorry 4 calling’ which is one of the EP’s stand out tracks! You’ve really flipped the narrative, and put a fresh, clever twist on the traditional break up song – what inspired you to write a song from that perspective?
How I approach songwriting is that I just try to be as honest as possible. It’s also therapeutic when I’m addressing the person/feelings responsible for the record directly; it brings all the emotions to the forefront.
Musically, there’s a real sense of hopefulness that offsets the sentiment behind the lyric. Did you find making this single to be quite a cathartic experience?
It was, in fact, super cathartic to write this record and it was a very intentional move, juxtaposing the upbeat quirky nature of the beat with its forlorn lyrics; it made a situation that was otherwise unfortunate, fun and silly and something to dance to!
How do you want listeners to feel when they hear the track? And what advice would you give to anybody who has been ghosted?
I want them to dance all the negativity away, to put them in a transient state of boogie, where pain doesn’t exist, or where pain can be released as freedom.
The single features a special guest vocal by Dreamer Isioma – how did that collaboration come about?
I had been a fan of Dreamer for a while and when I was thinking of possible collaborators, they were one of the first on my list. So I hit them up on Instagram and they were down and Voila!
Looking back, did you always dream of becoming a singer / recording artist? Which artists / musicians (if any) inspired you to get into music?
It’s all I’ve ever known; my first memories in life are of music. I’ve known since I was a baby. Beyoncé, obviously. Also, Hannah Montana. I wanted to be a Disney kid so bad lol.
You recently signed a new deal with Troniq Music – how it feels to be making HERstory as the first female artist to be signed to the label?
I feel blessed and honored, and I feel a responsibility to lead the way, to continue to make herstory for both my and my record labels legacy. There’s so much to be done!
What do you hope to achieve in 2024?
I cannot wait to go on tour. In different cities, countries, continents. The physical spaces of music is what I wish most to occupy; to be able to meet the people that my music has touched, to bridge that gap and connect with them. I cannot wait for all of that.
SOLIS4EVR’s new EP ‘Ghost Town’ is available to download / stream now
