Zola Simone’s first album Now You See Me shows off her effortless voice and superb lyrics that explore love, loss, and the vibrant life of an 18-year -old.
In her debut album, Now You See Me, Zola Simone blasts onto the Boston music scene. She won the award for best new artist at the 2021 Boston Music Awards and her album was nominated for the prestigious Album of the Year award. The album pairs an indie-pop sound with R&B influences that span multiple styles from singer-songwriter to upbeat pop, which are further strengthened by Simone’s poetic lyrical skills. The albums’ themes and sound are evocative of the artist King Princess, and tell stories from Simone’s life and experiences.
Simone’s first track, “Easy,” emerged victorious for song of the year at the Boston Music Awards. According to Simone, the song was inspired by the lesbian relationship between two characters, Casey and Izzie, in the Netflix series Atypical. The song was featured in the series finale of the show during its opening title sequence and a scene between Casey and Izzie. “Easy” showcases Simone’s effortless voice, reminiscent of Billie Eilish or Lorde, as she expertly traverses ranges and pulls listeners into a complicated love story with ease.
“Harvard Square” is one of the more unique tracks off the album, as it features only Simone’s voice and a lone acoustic guitar. This solemn song tells a story of memories and love as Simone sings, “there is where she broke my heart / through that window where we said the hardest part / I can’t go back.” The acoustic guitar complements the lyrics perfectly and Simone’s vocalizations seem to float above the beautiful accompaniment, making it sound like it would be played by a busker in Harvard Square.
Simone’s song “A Year in My Room” is a heartbreaking take on two lovers’ separation due to quarantine. The song starts with one rhythmic piano note, as Simone’s gentle voice eventually joins. The simple arrangement then explodes in the chorus, bringing with it feelings of love, longing, and passion: “if it were any other day but today / we could be together maybe we could get away / but I’m in my room think I’m here to stay / I’ll wait for you until it’s okay.”
In “Sideways,” Simone reflects on the pandemic, what it is like being an 18-year-old in modern-day America, and climate change, as she sings that the “world has gone sideways.” The high-energy instrumentation of the track is performed by Boston-based, genre-bending, hip-hop group STL GLD, and adds to the intensity of the lyrics. “Sideways” also features a poignant and clever rap verse performed by STL GLD. In the final chorus of the song, a chaotic saxophone line joins into the fray. This new line encapsulates the energy and meaning behind the song: that the world we live in is chaotic and sideways.
On her debut album, Simone has put together twelve very different songs that can appeal to a variety of audiences. While she has proved herself an extraordinary musician with Now You See Me, Simone is continuing to grow and release music, like her new single “Fall,” performed with Nectarine Girl. In Now You See Me, Simone flexes her songwriting and performance skills and delivers a beautiful album with powerful songs that dwell on the state of the world and her personal experiences.