néomí - “Another Year Will Pass”
Photo by Liz van den Akker
Surinamese/Dutch singer-songwriter Neomi Speelman, aka néomí, returns to the blog with “Another Year Will Pass,” the title track from her brand new EP.
“Another Year Will Pass” begins its vulnerable trek with some delicately plucked acoustic guitar, with occasional waves of ambience that rise to the surface of the arrangement. From there, néomí’s vocal performance emerges, delivering lines of unfeigned lyrics that traverse that familiar, yet quiet ache of acceptance– all of which has been polished into a flawless production.
Additional layers of vocals enter the tune as though newly invented instruments, pitch-perfect and widening the sound to reach each end of the sonic landscape. With a rhythm held in pace via shakers, digital artifacts sporadically find their position before the song ultimately reaches the crescendo of a full-band performance. By midpoint, the track’s intimate onset is just a memory.
“Another Year Will Pass“ remains in this gentle groove until a final breakdown peels away its many musical layers, revealing a vulnerable vocal that will undoubtedly sink its hooks into all who hear.
Like many artists, néomí turned to music as a means to process the emotional perils of being human: “This EP was a very reflective time for me… After two years in therapy, and everything I’ve been through, I realised that I’ve started to see the world differently. Sometimes it’s frustrating that my brain doesn’t work the same way as others, but I’ve learned to accept it. I’ve even started to see it as something beautiful.”
From where we’re listening, “beautiful” simply does not do this collection of tunes enough justice. Lovers of good music, do yourself a favor and get this entire EP into your earholes ASAP:
Connect with néomí here: Spotify | Instagram | Facebook
More music from néomí: “oh my darling“ “your girl” “garden” “someone new” “so I let you” “It’s Never Easy (Leaving Someone Behind)” “Sit Back Baby”
-HD