Nigerian-American singer-songwriter Aisha Badru has just released her highly anticipated second album The Sun Still Rises. This album follows on from Badru’s 2018 full-length release Pendulum which received critical praise from the likes of The Line of Best Fit who said “its clarity and singularity of vision make it an impressive debut for a fast-rising musician.” EPs Road to Self (2019) and The Way Back Home (2021) followed shortly after.
A Little Mad introduces the listener to Badru’s distinctive breathy vocal, made even more captivating as she sings about the monotonous daily cycle of life. The opening lines of “wake up in the morning to do work we don’t want to do, do it anyway so we won’t be late when rent is due” resonates heavily with the listener and the mellow keys and soaring strings add to the melancholy feel of the track. The weight of the track’s subject matter (feeling more alone when we’ve never been more connected to each other) is palpable and a brave entry point into the album.
Life to Live possesses a more upbeat vibe from the off with its mantra “it’s your life to live, you’ve got a life to live.” It’s an ode we can all relate to and forces the listener to take a breath and reassess the choices they’re making. Badru’s vocal is beautifully angelic and complements the strings to perfection.
The tempo is taken down a little on In the Making where acoustic guitar plucks and the occasional percussion swell are the only accompaniment needed as Badru’s gravelly tones take centre stage. The track leads seamlessly into Boundaries, another pared-back ode where Badru’s breathy, sleepy vocal further emphasises her need to take a break and reflect for a moment: “I need some time for myself, prioritise my health, I wish you well.”
Side of the Moon incorporates ethereal-sounding electronic elements which appear in sudden rushes like stars shooting across a night sky. The acoustic guitar pairs beautifully with the electric guitar reverb and further adds to the magical feel of the track.
Tunnel Vision opens powerfully with “you’ve been trying so long to find a reason you should stay. You’ve been fighting a silent battle. Your heart is filled with so much pain.” Badru’s emotion as she sings can be felt so strongly and the minimalistic accompaniment really makes the lyrics shine. The track’s message though is one of hope, being able to see the light at the end of the tunnel and knowing that the tough times shall soon pass.
The message of hope continues with the incredibly moving The Sun Still Rises. No matter what loss, heartbreak or grief you’re experiencing, the sun will still rise, the birds will still sing and the flowers will still bloom.
Thankful To Be Here is a personal tribute to everything Badru is thankful for, set against a backdrop of acoustic guitars. A track that makes you reflect and appreciate the here and now. Meanwhile, Finding Our Way features atmospheric, Country-influenced guitar plucks as Badru highlights how we’re all sat in the same boat traversing the choppy and unpredictable waters as we sail the seas of life together.
The album is brought to a close with The Calm, an understated acoustic piece with dips and swells, mirroring the highs and lows experienced in a lifetime. It’s a moment to meditate, reflect and reset as we remember that no matter what has come to test us, the sun will still rise.
Aisha Badru’s stunning vocal and lyricism has garnered her over 100 million streams and a growing European fanbase. “My music career has healed a huge part of me,” says Badru. “I have had to face every single insecurity about myself pursuing this life path. I’ve had to face my fear of public speaking and performing, talking in front of a camera, of my own insecurities being exposed, doing photo shoots. That has been incredibly healing.”
A mum of twins, Badru finds that she ends up penning her songs in fleeting quiet moments throughout the day when inspiration is sparked: “I’ll write a song while I’m brushing my teeth. Or I’ll be driving and just pull over and record my whole idea down,” she says. “It’s never a struggle. I didn’t try to write this album. It just sort of came out of me.”
The Sun Still Rises is available to stream now. Find out more about Aisha Badru here and have a listen to The Sun Still Rises below.