Julia Kwamya Is Ready to “Say Yes” and Move From Heartbreak to the Dancefloor
The New York music scene is full of talent, but among them all Julia Kwamya shines brighter as a rising star. Her unique style seamlessly blends moody disco with delicate synth-pop, evoking a range of complex emotions that go from heartbreak to joy and self-discovery. These elements come together to create an original sound that entices listeners onto the dance floor and captures their hearts. Listening to her could be described as Sade meets The Knife, sprinkled with Bossa Nova and High Life for a truly unique flavor. It's an emotional rollercoaster you won't want to miss.
Kwamya's path to finding her voice wasn't always easy. Trading spreadsheets for sheet music after graduating with an economics degree, she embraced acting and joined an indie-pop band, slowly piecing together the sounds that resonated with her soul. But life, as it often does, threw Kwamya a curveball. A taxi accident forced her to pause, relearn the basics, and confront her mortality. However, she was determined to not allow anything to stop her from pursuing her dreams.
Now, she's come back ready to captivate the listeners with "Say Yes," the lead single from her upcoming debut album. Produced by the acclaimed Josh Ascalon (Neon Indian, Twin Shadow), "Say Yes" is a sonic kaleidoscope. The song creates a sonic landscape with synth peaks and Kwamya's soaring vocals, that transmit urgency and reflect the song's introspective lyrics.
But "Say Yes" is more than just catchy melodies and danceable beats. It's a song full of personal significance, born from a moment of raw emotion in the unlikeliest of places: a bathtub. After leaving behind the painful memories of New York, Kwamya sought solace in Los Angeles. One evening, as she soaked in her bath, the melody for "Say Yes" emerged, pulling her out of the tub into a creative frenzy.
"Writing it was important because it was the first time that I felt anything about what happened to me and had the ability to put it into words and melody," Kwamya reveals. "This song is a cry. I wanted the person to admit what they did to me. I wanted them to ‘Say Yes I did it’ to my face."
The lyrics, filled with raw emotion and vulnerability, paint a picture of someone searching for answers and struggling to come to terms with past hurts. But even in the midst of darkness, there is a glimmer of hope. The chorus, with its repeated refrain of "Say Yes; you don't mean it," is both a plea for acknowledgment and a declaration of strength. Kwamya is no longer waiting for validation from others; she is reclaiming her narrative and finding her own voice.
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