While many know Dua Saleh for their portrayal of Sex Education’s Cal Bowman, they were an artist first. With a co-writer credit on Travis Scott’s ‘My Eyes’ and two EPs out (2020’s ‘ROSETTA’ and 2019’s critically acclaimed ‘Nūr’), ‘I Should Call Them’ is their latest genre-defying feat. Saleh narrates an apocalyptic tale of two lovers against sharp, self-assured production. While the album’s almost too tidy tracklist can feel over-practiced, it’s their lyrical wit that remains the fleshy, humanising soul of the project.
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On previous EPs, Saleh splashed between genres for the fun of it. Their dexterity between palettes (slick rap bars, falsetto cadences that feel like private prayers meant only for God’s ear to niche sewn-in details of rock, jazz and pop) places Saleh’s innovation in the artistry leagues of Victoria Monét and Amaarae. On ‘I Should Call Them’, their idiosyncratic sound is dutifully stretched, and tracks are elevated with guest features from Serpentwithfeet, Gallant, Sid Sriram and Ambré.
Though the meditative production of Rogét Chahayed (Doja Cat, Drake), Biako, Stint (Kesha, Wrabel) and 1Mind elevates Saleh’s surefire vision, the best bits are Saleh’s own vivid, swaggering imprint. On ‘Want’, they tout their cool charisma, singing: “Now every time I’m back in LA / You up in my bed”. Saleh’s charm isn’t just onscreen; it’s behind their heavy-hitting tracklist, too. Yet, for the breeziness of ‘Want’, its two-minute runtime leaves you feeling short-changed. If anything, we want more of Saleh’s evocative stylings, not less.
Meanwhile, Saleh’s emotive lyrics wax on like parables, making the nuanced storytelling around their layered identity – Sudanese, American, Muslim, non-binary, queer – feel universal. Cleverly probing through topics of spiritual power, love and yearning, they’re ambitious and uncompromising, as they show in track opener ‘chi girl’. “Leave your history, bear the truth,” they swoon over hypnotic, soft electronic beats, simultaneously beckoning their crush – and the listener – closer.
On ‘Pussy Suicide’, Saleh sombrely contemplates a splintering toxic relationship over strung-out slaps of trap and woozy ambient background beats. ‘Unruly’, featuring Serpentwithfeet, cascades in with sweeping strings before slipping in twangs of funky bass, proving they have plenty of creative ammo to hand. Glitchy R&B electro bursts through on ‘Cradle’ as Saleh drops silky rap lines oozing with confidence, reminiscing about “sparks that fly like fate”. Taking a cue from ‘ROSETTA’, they reinvigorate the religious analogies here, likening this seductive dynamic to the divine.
As album closer ‘2excited’ pours in, Saleh’s spiritual lovelorn narrative wraps up, flooded with blinking beats, swirling saxophone and percussion. Their lyrics sweep away, like an act of acceptance, leaving only a brash avalanche of instruments as the world folds in on itself. ‘I Should Call Them’ is an ode to today’s dystopian times and anxiety, but they still leave us revelling in the potency of trans queer love. At its best, Saleh’s debut shows us the thrilling beauty behind our internal imperfections.
Details
Release date: October 11, 2024
Record label: Ghostly
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