Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, to an Israeli-Yemenite mother and a Danish father, Nayah‘s multicultural background infuses her music with a unique flavor that sets her apart in the industry. Her music blends elements of pop with electronic and acoustic sounds, “I would probably say that my genre is a kind of alternative pop with a twist,” she explains. At the beginning of her musical journey, Nayah wrote her songs in Danish, before switching to English, “I realized how much more you can do with your art.” In her new single, “Misery,” Nayah pays homage to her cultural roots by incorporating an oriental sound. The song, which was released last Friday (Mar. 1), also marks a continuation of her desire to experiment more with sound and production even though the focus of her music remains to be introspective and heartbreaking.
Keep reading to find out more about Nayah’s new single, influences and upcoming releases!
How would you define your music?
My sound encapsulates the blend of modern pop music, both electronic and organic/acoustic sounds mixed together, with airy vocals in a melancholic and introspective lyrical universe. I want it to feel sad, yet uplifting.
How have your musical influences, such as Kaytranada and Brandy, shaped your artistic direction?
I’ve always been very into mixing genres and have a very broad taste in music. I basically listen to everything! So of course when it comes to my own music, I like to draw inspiration from many different kinds of artists and in different ways, depending on what I really love about them. Kaytranada would be let’s say the production and the vibe, and brandy would be the vocals and how she records them and makes everything sound so smooth, plus I love those y2k lyrics. Kelela would be a good add to that, I’m obsessed with all the layers in her vocals and the dark, electronic sound. So it’s really all about broadening your musical view and to not get stuck in one specific style or genre. I also like experimenting with different sounds and think it’s important to keep challenging yourself and how you “define” yourself as an artist.
What made you decide to switch from Danish to English lyrics in your music career?
I think changing from Danish to English was actually a pretty easy decision. I was just emotionally done with danish music, had just split with my label and management and needed to do something completely different. The majority of the music I listen to is in English and I’ve always dreamed about having a more global audience. I never really felt completely at home and “settled” in Denmark, so switching to English was also a way for me to break out of that and realize how much more you can do with your art and how many creative amazing people there are out there in the world. No limits!
Can you tell us about your new single “Misery”?
‘Misery’ is special to me. We wrote it in Tel Aviv when the boys came to visit and you can just tell that it’s very inspired from my middle eastern background. It’s very different from my previous releases, like it’s adding another layer. And it has a mystery to it, both in the production and the lyrics. They go together.
What is the meaning behind this song?
I do love to write about broken hearts so obviously Misery is no different. It’s about a love that you’re desperately trying to hold on to. You can’t let it go because you have this delusional idea that this person might be the cure to your suffering, without realizing that maybe they’re the reason for your misery. They give you too little but at the same time just enough for you to be in a constant limbo.
What inspired you to explore oriental sounds in your new song “Misery”?
I’ve been traveling a lot to Israel for the past couple of years and done a lot of soul searching there. I identify a lot with the culture, since it is also half of me, so I thought it was time to integrate it somehow in my music. I also grew up listening to Yemenite-Israeli music so it’s in me somewhere. When the boys came to visit we just automatically got into this flow so it all came pretty naturally.
What can fans expect from your upcoming releases?
We’re working on so much new music and I feel so motivated just getting it out there! I want to still stay true to my style and make it introspective and probably about heartbreak, but people can definitely expect some more experimenting in the production and general sound.
What is a message you would like to give through your music and why?
I want people to connect with my songs like they’re some kind of an abstract diary. I write very openly about past experiences and feelings and I do it for a reason. Love, good and bad, is a universal feeling or pain that we can all connect through, especially via music. Sometimes it’s impossible to put into words yourself and then you can listen to a specific song that just hits the nail on the head and it feels so cathartic. And if it’s not the lyrics it can also be something specific about the melody or the musical universe in the song. Either way, I want people to be touched by it and experience that feeling of connection, like I have with other artists.
Write here something you want to let people know.
Go check out ‘Misery’ and stay tuned for more heartbreak music. There’s plenty on the way!
You can listen to NAYAH‘s new single ”Misery” on our Spotify playlist!
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