Reminiscent of the sound of Mitski and Norah Jones, Iranian-Saudi artist, Eman Alali drops a stunning debut single with ‘Shameless’, the lead track from her upcoming EP, set for release next year.
‘Shameless’ was released on the 10th of November, and is available to stream and download here. It’s also accompanied by a music video, which can be watched below.
A fusion of bedroom pop, indie pop, and indie R&B, ‘Shameless’ presents an introspective look at past love, while facing it with a defiant energy that shows how much she’s grown since.
The track was written six years after Eman broke up with a narcissist; she reminisces about the toxicity of it all, and while everyone around her assures her that he’s changed, she has however reached that stage in her life where she realises she doesn’t need him anymore, she’s moved on, and is beyond his power and manipulation, which, during their relationship, made her feel unmemorable, and left her feeling naive. Eman has taken great strides, and has in that time been featured in British Vogue, Highsnobiety and Dazed MENA, as well as attending BAFTA and BFI events.
‘Shameless’ was co-written between Eman and her collaborator Anshi, over two sessions in her room. What started out as a sad acoustic sketch, ended up instead becoming an anthemic track about being an independent woman. With soft guitars, moody synths, and percussive elements bringing an R&B sound to the track, Eman’s vocals start out with a certain fragility, that soon grows into defiance and strength, as she takes control of her life story and stands proud of herself.
Eman Alali grew up in Cornwall, Ontario, where she and her brothers absorbed much from MTV, learning by heart the lyrics to Linkin Park x Jay-Z’s, ‘Encore/Numb’, and Maroon 5’s ‘She Will Be Loved’, which then ignited in her a passion for cinematic storytelling. Now 28 and living in London, her sound evokes diasporic roots, and gives small-town outsider clarity.
The music video for ‘Shameless’ follows a girl in and out of her London flat, rolling dice as a symbol of games, time, and moving on, with the gamble it entails. Letting a moth out of her flat as she sings, “I could let you go” is a nice touch, as well as footage of her walking backwards, evoking the idea that it wouldn’t be progress if she went back to her ex.
Watch the music video for ‘Shameless’ below, and find out more about Eman Alali and her music online on Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, and Apple Music.
