Single of the week: Ayelle ‘Boy’
Rising Swedish-Iranian RnB artist Ayelle delivers a captivating new single about discovering self-fulfilment in a world where girls are brought up to find happiness from men.
Having already worked with a slew of producers in her short career, on ‘Boy’ she teams up with Rotterdam based Mucky, primarily known for his work with Sevdaliza. The beat is sensuous and smooth, 808 kicks are teamed up with 90’s style RnB piano and guitar licks. The result is a sparse, minimal production that well and truly allows Ayelle’s vocals to shine. Many of her past songs have tended towards a more maximal/EDM style but it’s on the more chilled out songs such as ‘Boy’ and ‘Lights Out’ with British producer Sonn where she thrives.
Majestic Casual, who have released ‘Boy’ through their record label have built a reputation for curating songs that fit a broad uplifting yet relaxing vibe. ’Boy’ definitely fits that style, but the lyrics are much darker than what you might usually associate with Majestic Casual. Explaining the theme of the song, Ayelle states:
"Growing up, girls are bombarded with fairytales about women whose lives and happiness depend upon men. This message goes quite deep and can sometimes make us look for fulfilment everywhere else but in ourselves.”
Ayelle realises she has to learn to love herself somehow but so far she is doing okay, implying this is an ongoing process with growing still to do.
Ayelle has been compared to the likes of Kelela, Banks and Wafia, and if she continues releasing songs of this quality she will certainly reach the same heights. A new EP is reportedly in the pipelines so Ayelle is unquestionably a young artist to keep an eye and ear on.
