Sahra da Silva – Oh, Love!
If Sahra da Silva was releasing her music between 1960 – 1980 she would already be a star, and that I’m sure of. That’s not to say it’s out of date, but instead, the cool bars with a haze of smoke which Sahra would have packed don’t exist anymore, and today’s record labels simply look for image ready kids to pump out to an adoring public.
Incredibly, the Danish singers career actually began on the set of DK’s Got Talent, setting them alight with her first appearance. Since then she released her first EP (Sahra da Silva & the Jagged Soul) back in 2012, and has performed at the Scandinavian Soul Festivals and is a regular artist/organiser at Mojo Blues bar in Copenhagen.
Her debut single ‘Soulmate‘ still resonates as a timeless Scandinavian soul / blues classic; and it’s heartfelt, passionate and powerful enough to move me to tears. Voices like Sahra’s are rare and distinct, which is further heightened by Sahra’s sultry looks.
There was a fire in Sahra that seemed to scream, ‘I’ve been through some fucking shit and it hurts, but I got to tell you about it.’ I know who I’d pick in a fight between her and …well …any female pop star you care to name!*
*Sahra is one of the sweetest, nicest people you could ever meet!
Still bluesy in sound, Sahra da Silva and her band The Jagged Soul now present a softer side on their new album Oh, love! Gone is the dark cover of the previous EP, instead replaced with an attractive, soft image of Sahra which is befitting the album title.
Opening with the smooth ‘Barely Enough’ there is clearly an audible difference when Sahra sings…
This love is driving me crazy
and it gets so bad
and when I’m pissed off
all you got to do is smile
and I can’t be mad
The anger in the words has been replaced with a warm calmness in her tone. Lyrically, Sahra carries the album with her excellent talent of describing the torment and pleasures of relationships.
I’m fed up now
you treat me like shit
go to hell now
you’re dismissed
The Jagged Soul, however, didn’t excel with this album as I felt they did previously, nonetheless, the guitar riff on ‘Stop for a Minute‘ is a delight, and it’s perhaps the most pop sounding track – and that’s not meant as a negative.
If you only listen to one track, you should listen to ‘Lonely Heart‘. Sit back and enjoy Sahra’s enthralling vocals throughout this quality track.
Another favourite is ‘Here we go Again‘, a catchy soulful track with an engaging chorus.
The bonus re-work of ‘Don’t you Dare‘ again begs me to ask why Sahra isn’t in every retro advert, series or film soundtrack being made? – Think of the forthcoming film The Man from Uncle.
Collectively, the album drifts without really tearing at your heart strings (apart from the track Lonely Heart), or causing deep reflection as Sahra lyrics clearly emit; and that’s a real shame.
This may not be the most glowing review I’ve wrote, but it may make Sahra angry.
I think I actually prefer Sahra when she’s angry.
Scandinaviansoul.com Rating 3 /5
Spotify: https://play.spotify.com/
Soundcloud:http://soundcloud.com/sdsjaggedsoul
