Zoya Zafar - “Clumsy”
Photo by Ada Chen
We’ve long been fans of Florida-based singer-songwriter Zoya Zafar and today she returns to the blog with the lo-fi sounds of “Clumsy,” the final song from her new LP, Some Songs.
This track has a distinctive, old-timey vibe that we have found completely captivating. “Clumsy” opens with the intimate sounds of guitar chords, entering the ears as though we’ve stumbled across the private, sonic diary of Zafar. The sparseness of the arrangement commands the attention of its listener and it is not at all difficult to imagine the song being performed in one’s living room.
Zafar’s vocal arrives, just as lo-fi and warm as the rest of the track, wonderfully maintaining the intimate nature of the overall production. There is a certain Mazzy Star-ness permeating the delivery that will cause one to feel nostalgic for the early ‘90s, while simultaneously rejoicing in its modern richness. The subtle tones of an organ fall into place, adding width to the sonic landscape, but never abandoning the track’s initial vibe.
For the last minute of the “Clumsy,” the guitar and organ subside in order to reveal a piano performance, adding a touch of dynamic variation to the song. This track is great for those moments when an introspective soundtrack is completely necessary. The song comes from Zafar’s LP, Some Songs, which features production by Max Helgemo and Gia Margaret and is now available everywhere you get your music.