Track By Track: Noah Slee
Berlin-based multi-faceted artist Noah Slee releases his sophomore album, it takes a village. Combining influences of soul, R&B, and alternative pop, it takes a village is an exploration of vulnerability, community, empowerment, and culture. Noah Slee is an artist for whom the term 'community' is a defining factor in creativity. Be it the relatively recent sense of belonging found as part of the free-thinking, queer community of Berlin, the community he is forever tied to through his Tongan roots, or the artist community he cultivates through running grass-roots events which strive to support home-grown Berlin talent.
Today, the boundary-pushing artist will take us track by track through his sophomore album.
WALK
This song is special. It's a conversation between Mike, Sedric and I. The BLM movement is the focal point and is a reaction to the George Floyd murder. There are snippets at the end of the song taken from a protest. Awareness brings on conversation and that is important for me as an artist, not only for this topic but for all inequalities we face as a society. Musically it's a twist on gospel and R&B.
RISE
Comes in with a bit more light and hope. It features L V J and musically it's driven by the (real) piano loop and smooth bass line. Musically and lyrically it came to me pretty quickly and was just how I was feeling at the time. Having dealt with depression it came easier for me to navigate when someone I love is going through a heavy time. It often makes an impact on you though so I wrote this song as an anchor in those moments for both people involved.
CULTURE
Is the R&B moment of the album. I was listening to a lot of PARTYNEXTDOOR so it kind of leaks into the vibes. I have a percussive drum that I brought to Berlin from Samoa (Pacific Islands) so that's the drum sound you can hear. This song is about flaunting your culture and representing that part of who you are with pride. Specifically if you've been ostracized, ridiculed, mocked or discriminated against. There are traditional samples that are also in the outro. CULTURE features the amazing Mulay
GOLDEN
Is in the groove for me. Produced by LVTHER.. I remember recording this one in my kitchen and just feeling it in my bones. Makes me want to dance BUT also speaks to your soul. This tune features Joy Denalane, an Icon from the scene.
GREED
okcandice shares a beautiful poem that transitions into this song. The song is musically really simple with a guitar loop that's been effected so its textural but still warm. I added a lot of vocals and they are pretty layered. If you haven't noticed yet it's one of my favourite things to do. Then you hear the silky low tone by Lie Ning, an amazing artist from Berlin. Ah yes also if you haven't noticed all the features are from Berlin.
HEALING
The multi-talented Youka Manuka then segues into HEALING with an intricate string arrangement which actually changes key from “GREED” to the next song “HEALING.” The beat is really heavy and the tone a little darker. This is the first solo moment of the album with no features. Youkas strings add a lot of energy in the chorus and the Shamisen (Japanese string instrument) makes a beautiful appearance at the end.
LETTER
The final solo moment on the album with no features is “LETTER”. I literally wrote a letter to myself in this song as a reminder of how far I have come and in hopes it connects with someone who might be going through something. At the moment it's my favourite song from the LP. Produced by Ben Esser.
COMPLICIT
Is a full on journey with a catchy hook by Pnksand and Mike Nasa on the MC duties. This song went through a few changes musically and we landed on this really bouncy beat and a heavy message. My favourite moment is Mike sharing a poem at the end which was so powerful and a one take. I remember it vividly
END
Lastly it's the “END”. This song I started writing on guitar and then I worked with StyleBOI_92 to bring it to life. He added piano and a few other elements. This one really rounds up the theme and ends the album with intention. K.Zia is featuring on this one and she totally nails it with her voice that transcends and has an operatic flavour to it.