Max's Music Mondays with Satya - Bonus Thursday Edition
Days don't matter, good music always prevails!
Welcome to the Thursday Bonus Edition - and what a bonus it is. Trying a new ~second~ email for these features (once or twice per month), let me know how it works for you. So stoked to share Satya’s newest single and a little performance. As always, I will forever be your best friend if you follow and subscribe!!!
We’re back with our second artist spotlight, featuring Satya (please please give her a follow, the Summertime music video drops tomorrow and you won’t wanna miss it). An artist able to shine regardless of context, time and time again singing over such beautiful compositions. And lucky for us, there’s new music! Her latest single, Summertime, just dropped last Friday. And oh my god… well, we’ll get into it.
As per usual - we’ve got a little performance below, the rest of my jaw-dropped thoughts about this new single, and lastly a song Satya wanted to share. TIME FOR THE SHOW!!!
Oh come on… A ROUND OF APPLAUSE, A STANDING OVATION. Could you imagine a more cozy and loving performance. Obviously, it goes without saying (although also can’t be said enough), but Satya’s voice is truly out of this world. Strong on its own, finding a richness from the highest highs to the lowest lows. In this intimate setting, it plays so well, the guitar more than enough accompaniment - the background vocals a very welcomed and generous addition. But the stripped back arrangement, lets those little flourishes (the vibrato, the last note as the breath falls off, so many more) deliver a huge impact. Even the ‘Ooo’s are perfect. Each note feels loving and honest and really just fills my heart. The song itself is so good (more on that next), and shows off just why I get as excited about Satya as I do: amazing songwriting that really captures specific emotions/experiences, shared with such intimacy, and an undeniable voice. I don’t have the vocabulary to really explain it, so all I’ll say is, dang it is so beautiful, ugh.
Now… about the song…
Summertime - Satya
What an absolute gem. The beautiful combination of cinematic strings holding that clean acoustic guitar right there for us to enjoy. The two feel from different planets but fit together effortlessly. Satya’s voice acting as the perfect way to tie them together. This first moment is just so soothing, an easy sway back and forth. A heartwarming mood as we hear about a new romance, building a connection and the trust to do so. It’s all just a beautiful thing. Then the drums hit right alongside a little guitar and bells…. and I’ve never been so hype during such a sweet song, I’m going wild. Riding off chimes and a stunning Oooooo, the song unfurls, becoming that much warmer, that much more loving. The imagery, the tastes, it’s just so kind and tender. And somehow there’s still more??? The tight bass line runs us to the horn section - muted and caring. Leaving just enough room for Satya’s Oooo’s to keep shining. The second verse holds on to some of that momentum, drums soldiering on, in tact. The lyrics are clear and honest, Satya just asking to be loved fully. The intimacy of the moment around 1:50, the whole band clearing the stage for these lyrics to hit harder, works incredibly well. This song is just *tearing up emoji’s* a stunner. The dreamy xylophone-y run back to the band, before landing one of my favorite lines of the song. The acoustic sparkles once again we hit the chorus. But hit is way too strong of a word. We’re just floating so easy, but like we’re in the clouds rather than the water. So soft and encapsulating. The outro lets the band set a foundation for Satya to really show off. Exploring new melodies for the chorus’ message, but exploring with such confidence and such a compelling tone. It’s got me hooked I’ll tell ya that much. It all ends before I’m ready, but leaves me optimistic for this new love and leads me right back to listen again (and again).
Before we wrap up, I asked Satya to share another tune with us too, and I’m thrilled with what we’ve got.
Where Would You Be - Yaw
In her words: One song I think more people should listen to is ‘Where Would You Be’ by Yaw. I came across this song a couple days ago, and have been listening to it on repeat since. There is something so magical and raw about this song, I can’t fully put into words the feeling this tune gives me, it's definitely something special.
In mine: In short, yep, I agree. We’re just getting spoiled with these recs… Another song that’s completely new to me, but so grateful to know it now. The song is timeless, I was shocked to see its release date (2008??), feels like it could’ve easily come out this year too. What a beautiful intro, the sunrising over mountain tops. Settling back into a horn-driven groove. That rawness is real, the vocals feel like Yaw is right in front of you. The warmth and humanity oozing out (1:30’s “time” a perfect example, the sound off that mic offering so much texture and realness). I love the back half here, all the vocals pushing and pulling against each other. Just a laid back song and insane performance. Glad to have it in my life.
Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed a little bonus this week - it’s a special feeling for me to get to spend so much time and so many words on one artist. I’m grateful you’re here to explore this little MMM experiment with me too. Let me know what you think.
See you on Monday,
Max