Bringing together her Korean American heritage, Namira’s new EP California Fever is the perfect representation of who she is as a singer.
Written in memory of her mother, each word exudes emotion, bringing together a journey that has changed lives. Even from the cover, inspired by Francis Cugat’s “The Great Gatsby” cover, with a bear and tiger that references Korea’s founding myth, it feels personal and introspective of Namira’s life.
The focus track, “California Fever,” matches the album’s title and perfectly sets the tone for what Namira wants fans to feel.
From the very beginning of the intro, the song feels like the perfect combination of Western instrumentals and a Korean folk-tale vibe. Namira’s vocals have an undeniable uniqueness and, particularly in this song, a more fairytale tone. Yet it is balanced as the beat of the song picks up, resembling a classic US folk song, before changing direction again with the introduction of the electric guitar.
Although the mix of genres and styles is interesting, combined with the more traditional and classically trained feel of Namira’s voice, it makes it more ethereal. This is emphasized at the end with the unexpected instrumental that feels like the dream is being broken or shattered.
The track “Forever” continues Namira’s trademark of exploring genres, and while the opening uses a guitar and castanets, the almost operatic feel of her voice creates something powerful and dynamic. The opening verses have a beautiful blend of music and vocals, but the chorus quickly shifts to an EDM theme, allowing the track to keep changing tempos and staying fresh. While all of Namira’s tracks shine a light on her Korean heritage, the bridge in “Fever” uses Korean with “Arirang.” It is important for Koreans, as the folk song has been used as an unofficial unification song, with themes of separation, lost love, tragedy, and pain. It beautifully balances with the song.
It seems to be a theme with Namira’s tracks that she truly creates beautifully opening bars to get listeners interested, and “One of These Days” is no exception. The instruments in this track give the song a calming, summery feeling, with Namira’s warm vocals that make you feel like you’re listening to a story. But as the song continues, the drum beat picks up the pace. Interestingly, the instrumental in the middle of the song serves as a chorus, proving Namira’s abilities not just as a singer but as a composer. The song feels like a rollercoaster as it leads back into a slower tempo before picking up again.
“Come With Me” really shines a light on Namira’s musical education, starting with a beautiful piano and violin instrument, adding layers and depth with sound effects. The opening bars feel extremely serene and calming, with the beauty and impact of the stunning, faultless vocals. Yet, once again, as the synth and drum beat come in, the genre takes a turn, making the beat more complex, and the instrumental creates a break within the song. While they can often feel empty when used often in songs, Namira perfectly balances them with the melody and lyrics. In particular, the moment when Namira channels a “chanting” technique for the lyrics, it feels like a spell and is utterly mesmerising, and by ending the song with another instrumental, it’s the perfect combination of music styles.
Namira has created an album that beautifully blurs the lines of genre, using her beautiful voice to be the bridge between styles. While it could be overwhelming to some, the sheer musical talent and passion can be felt through the complicated pieces that give off an effortless feeling.
Namira is on Instagram. You can listen to “California Fever:” here.