Say What It Is

It is rare to discover a song that radiates emotional rawness in the way that Amalie Bryde’s ‘Say What It Is’ does. The London based, Danish born singer fulfils the generic expectations of neo-soul and jazz, yet her soaring, undefinable vocality and kaleidoscopic, cinematic musicality transcends her into a lane of her own. An artist who uses emotion and expressionism to its fullest, this new cut follows on from the impressive earlier 2021 release, ‘Lay Down’. 

Produced by Glen Scott, who has worked with the likes of Mary J Blige and Craig David, the instrumental is a dynamic, varied and deeply affecting sonic palette. The soundscape is sparse, murky and ambiguous to begin with, but as Amalie’s passion amasses in the vocal performance, so does a dreamlike, vibrant crescendo, with cascading keys and watery synths shining through. There is a delicacy and desperation to the lyricism, but also introspection; our narrator ponders rather than pleads, serenading the nameless subject with gorgeous melody and striking tonality.  

Accompanied by an experimental and avant garde visual, the psychedelic, debilitating imagery signifies the deteriorating mental state of the singer, as she reaffirms to her lover;

“‘Say What It Is You Want From Me’”

A meteoric force of rapture and devotion, this is a song that will speak to you like few can; reaching deep into your soul and raiding your passivity, leaving you cleansed yet solemn, wary of loves endless ambiguity.