Despite the opening, haunting ringing bells on ‘Doomed‘, these notes merely announce the compelling arrival of Tilla.
We only recently discovered this Norwegian artist who is making her return after a three-year hiatus following a critically acclaimed debut single – Slow.
Doomed‘s intro tantalisingly misdirects the listener with its foreboding opening and title before it blossoms into a summery smooth neo-soul single. The darkness of the lyrics, a story of fear and choosing the right path, are softened by Tilla’s harmonious tones. While the understated production flows with a stimulating current of warmth.
Going deeper, Tilla describes the song’s context – Sometimes, the gut feeling can tell you the outcome long before it happens. Still, we choose the doomed path – why? I don’t know, maybe we’re destructive, curious, or just hopeful that it’ll work out anyways, even when our rational self knows the end to it.
DJ Tilla changes the decks for a mic
The 24-year-old has in the last five years built herself up as a DJ at raves, clubs and bars and played over a hundred gigs yearly. Her debut single Slow, released without any label or management, was highlighted by renowned journalist Audun Vinger as “single of the week” in Jazznytt/DN calling it “Jazzy R&B with a touch of psychedelic dream pop“.
Now Tilla’s return as a music creator comes with a more soulful flavour and a sense of timing.
‘This song means a lot to me.’ Tilla explained. ‘It is one of the first songs I wrote and produced myself, and I have kind of just waited for the right moment to release it. I’ve found out that the “right” moment never comes, I’m just nervous to release music. I was 19 when I made it, now I’m 24. Maybe about time?‘
The right time for Tilla has definitely arrived!