by Jade Winings (@jadewinings)
The collaboration of Ryan Hemsworth’s (Quarter-Life Crisis) electronic music specialty and Shalom Obisie-Orlu’s emotional value produced Shalom’s incredibly solid debut album, Sublimation. The two are said to have “worked seamlessly” as the original seven tracks turned into Hemsworth’s encouraged twelve. Sublimation as a title perfectly fits in each of the album’s tracks in expression of Shalom’s subconscious mind coming to surface and the contrasting thoughts and emotions that comes with it, which also fits the example of the downside of being emotionally intelligent.
Sublimation’s tracks are an honest depiction of intimate scenerios and feelings of self conflict, severing ties with creativity, traumatic breakups, and putting yourself first. “Narcissist” is the perfect opening track, we are immediately greeted with the groove of slow punk bass and punchy verses. Consistent contrasting thoughts pulling at each other have the ability to make us feel like a narcissist as it seems all we are thinking about is ourselves, but the journey continues on to reveal putting ourselves first is not always selfish. Intentional or not, “Whole Life” punches us in the gut as a clever followup, the track exposing the actual theoretical narcissist in Shalom’s life. She shares that she could wait her whole life for this person to essentially love her back properly, but it’s impossible to rationalize the person who “never cared but always kept score”.
The album also heavily dives into powerful expressions of deep depression in its progression shown through tracks such as “Happenstance” and “Bodies”. “Happenstance” is paired with a music video portraying a friendly party on a sunny day, but Shalom can’t find herself to enjoy these things. “Bodies” entrances us with deeper bass and Shalom’s darker vocal tone as she expresses the want to be alive, but this is being worn down by the progressing feeling of not wanting to try to feel anymore.
“Lighter” next highlights the optimism in tracks like “Bodies,” displaying the opposing wants to “not be perceived” and instead asking to feel “lighter”. Though it’s claimed to have taken a short time to write and can be considered the most upbeat, Shalom’s honesty shines through “Lighter” as much as any other track. Through the track, Shalom seemed to find clarity within how brave she is, quoting an interview with Stereogum, Shalom claimed, “The song made me start liking myself” and “I’m a super resilient person, but I’m really fucking exhausted of it,” [...] “Can I chill for a minute? I’ve lived the last five years and not had a minute…”. Though we travel through darker tones of life throughout the album, the storytelling is accompanied by the enlightenment of letting go of what no longer serves us in order to regain strength lost. Sublimation is an outstanding piece for an artist to introduce themselves, establishing immediate solidarity in music.
Through nostalgic Euro-pop beats and bubbly synths in expressions of anxiety, and bravery, Shalom Obisie-Orlu has gifted the world with a unique indie-pop album to cry to. She has recently been open about her mental health journey and road to enlightenment connoted with the album, and seems to be excited to share her most recent spiritual journey through music once again. Fans of Soccer Mommy, Snail Mail, and Alien Boy will for sure love Shalom, but the similar sounds definitely don’t take away the impact, and there’s only more to come.