Tilla discovers a new soulful path / Doomed

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?‘