néomí - “Didn’t I”
Photo by sophieparis35mm
Surinamese/Dutch singer-songwriter Neomi Speelman, aka néomí, is back on the blog with “Didn’t I,” a heart-rending track that forces listeners to look inward, particularly upon the dissolution of a toxic relationship.
We’ve supported the music of néomí ever since 2023, when we first heard “Oh My Darling.” Track after track, she never fails to demand our undivided attention with her splendid craft. “Didn’t I” adds more weight to this fact, beginning with some extremely raw acoustic guitar strums, then a host of horns sounding off across the top. Soft plucks from a banjo accentuate the raw edges of the arrangement, hitting our niche for folky tunes while still allowing the song to reside within the realm of alt pop.
néomí’s rich vocal performance enters the record, instilling “Didn’t I” with a soothing sense of confidence, complete with blasts of harmony textures that mirror the power of the aforementioned horns. By the time the rhythm section and electric guitars appear, there are far more layers of supporting vocal tracks than any human can count, eternally stretching the sonic space.
néomí adds that “’Didn’t I' is a song about an inevitable kind of love, one that you wish in the end didn't happen at all… It’s about being in a difficult relationship where you are being held responsible for your partner's repeated attempts to sabotage things. You're left wondering: 'Did I do enough?' or 'Was I enough?' - when in fact, those are the questions they should be asking themselves."
This is a slight departure from the more raw and vulnerable recordings that we’re used to hearing from néomí; however, the subject matter still allows the song to exist within that intimate space. You can now hear “Didn’t I” everywhere you get your music, and you can connect with the artist here: Spotify | Instagram | Facebook
LIVE DATES:
08.10.26 - Patronaat, Haarlem
10.10.26 - EKKO, Utrecht
16.10.26 - Hall of Fame, Tilburg
17.10.26 - Rotown, Rotterdam
18.10.26 - Doornroosje, Nijmegen
More music from néomí: “oh my darling“ “your girl” “garden” “someone new” “so I let you” “It’s Never Easy (Leaving Someone Behind)” “Another Year Will Pass” “Trigger”