Seven Songs a Week: Saturday: Dua Saleh

Hello, Welcome to Seven Songs a Week.

Another Saturday, Another Request, This request also comes from my brother. My brother found Dua Saleh on TikTok after Saleh promoted their (Saleh uses they/he/xe pronouns) new EP, Rosetta. He told me to listen to Saleh this week and her gave my the choices of either "Umbrellar" or "Cat Scratch," but he did say that I would probably get more from "Umbrellar" and its corresponding video. He also said that "Cat Scratch" was scary.

Single cover for "Umbrellar"

"Umbrellar" was announced as the first single off of their "Rosetta" EP on March 24, 2020 through Saleh's social media accounts. Saleh said that the EP would be personal and "Umbrellar" is no exception. "Umbrellar" is about an ex-girlfriend or as Saleh describes it " [the song is] basically about falling in love with a gay alien witch." This is portrayed with the way that Saleh describes their lover by saying
"Diamonds was embedded on her horn." Even though Saleh finds her strange, they still have their fun by
"Driving through the tunnels in the morn." Saleh's ex's father warned them about her by saying that "she wasn't natural born..." and "stolen off a planet." This actually happened to Saleh once, they recall it in an interview saying "Her dad is like ‘bro, she’s literally an alien,’ but I’m already lovestruck!" This idea of being lovestruck is shown in the chorus with Saleh even wondering if their night together was even real. Saleh is "...superstitious 'bout her sex appeal" because everything about their ex is other-worldy. Saleh learns the truth when her ex "[brings] her wand out."

If my hunch is correct, the next verse is about their night of intimacy and everything that happened between Saleh and their ex. Saleh describes "[gutting] out" her ex and describes a "fickle fight" and an "icky croon." Saleh describes their ex's breath as a "flume and her eyes "pulling...into a tomb," which I take as the ex climaxing. Even thought the night is over, Saleh is still captivated by their ex and how captivating she is.

The video for "Umbrellar" showcases with an umbrella in a junkyard with a rundown shack, broken CD players and linear buildings. Cut between these shots of Saleh, we see them meet a women in this junkyard. Both of them are dressed in white dresses and there are multiple shots of them with cloth, whether its red or blue, connecting themselves. I think the cloth and the performance the two give represents their night of intimacy. We see them hug and go back to the location to where the woman was meditating by herself at the beginning.

I really like this song, it's a genre of music that I really enjoy. This particular sound reminds me of Gorillaz's "Plastic Beach" album particularly "Rhinestone Eyes" and "Empire Ants." I'm going to have to keep an eye on Dua Saleh and I recommend that you do.

I give “Umbrellar” 5 clear umbrellas out of 5.

I hope you enjoyed my review. How do you feel about "Umbrellar"? Leave a comment and a request for next Saturday down below.

I listed my sources below in case you are interested in reading more.

Take Care,

Jonathan