‘…the skill set of a queer musical icon in the making; creativity, conviction, and the capacity to create catchy yet emotionally compelling melodies…’
zara smile is a queer folk musician and sound engineer currently based out of Liverpool. Having released their debut single back in 2023, smile has become a prolific live figure within their local scene, and have continued to release a steady flow of singles that pull influence from folk, chamber pop, bedroom pop, emo, and jazz, making their sound immediately identifiable as their own.
‘Skin’ is a delightfully whimsical excursion into the understated yet cinematic sounds of smile, showcasing perfectly the manner in which they take a folk music foundation and decorate it with ideas from indie-pop and art rock. Looping piano refrains draw circles around soft guitar work, whilst gently sweeping strings and bright clarinet harmonies loan a beautifully bittersweet tone to the track.
smile keeps their vocal performance grounded and human, softly carving out gorgeously heartfelt melodies as they reminisce over a sapphic love that had burned out; one that neither party can quite find themselves prepared to move on from. There is no anger in smile’s vocals, but instead a deep-seated feeling of longing, grief, and genuine adoration, as they navigate a heartbreak like none other they have experienced; there is a real maturity to it all, despite the childlike innocence that the musical backdrop conveys.
zara smile has the skill set of a queer musical icon in the making; creativity, conviction, and the capacity to create catchy yet emotionally compelling melodies make them an important voice emerging within their local scene. ‘Smile’ wholeheartedly deserves a place on your sad-girl summer* playlist.
*sad-girl summer is a mindset, and open to folks from any gendered background.
For Fans Of: beabadoobee, Lizzy McAlpine, Black Country, New Road, Vanessa Carlton, girl in red
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