In a world where voices often play second fiddle to the beat, DARKNESSHAYLA's highly anticipated debut album, flips the script.
From start to finish, the project presents an intimate journey through vulnerability, pain and triumph, all tied to pulsating dance rhythms. HAYLA's voice becomes the central force, an instrument as dynamic and dominant as any synthesizer in its own right.
“It's amazing to work with so many of the collaborators I've worked with, but when you do it alone, it's quite exposed,” says HAYLA. EDM.com. “Because the audience of the DJs I've worked with potentially comes to listen to my music, I hope to live up to people's expectations… I'm very lucky that this audience listens to my music and supports me.”
“I'm very proud of what I've created… It's something, for once, that I can say, 'I have something tangibly mine,' and I hope people get to know me more.”
From the opening notes of “Only Me”, DARKNESS makes one thing clear: HAYLA is here to reclaim her place as a compelling vocal powerhouse and songwriter. The album begins on a somber note as soft arpeggios bubble beneath her soaring vocals, delivering a heartbreaking yet determined message. It's a delicate balance that shows his gift for turning pain into beauty.
On the other hand, HAYLA surprises with “Freefall”, a song that summarizes the emotional core of the album through vibrant bass lines and bright synths. Co-produced with Grammy-nominated musician Carl Ryden, the song navigates love's most precarious moments into a sure-fire climax that feels like a confession and a catharsis.
The depth of “Freefall” contrasts beautifully with the lightness of another standout song, “Visions of You.”
“The story of the song behind this is really when you're just blown away by the crush and the thought of that person helping you get through the day,” HAYLA explains. “That person that you can't wait to see again and that makes you feel good. It was a really fun thing to write. It's probably the happiest song on the album.”
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But HAYLA's strength lies not only in her ability to captivate with hymns of pain. It also offers deep moments of introspection, as on the hauntingly beautiful title track, “DUSK.” Produced and written entirely by HAYLA herself, the closing of the album invites us to a sonic twilight where languid strings build while her voice hums in ethereal waves, creating a dreamlike soundscape that delves into the darkness.
It's a song meant for quiet reflection, best enjoyed, as HAYLA herself suggests, just before the world fades into the night.
“I won't lie, I was incredibly nervous to show that side of myself,” she tells us. “It's something I've done behind closed doors to broaden my musical horizons and have a more integral part of owning a track. I'd really like to do more production. Working with so many amazing producers, to say whatever you want a song to sound like or to be integrally part of a song is amazing, but doing it myself felt like something I wanted to experiment with.”
“It's a completely experimental piece,” he continues. “It's an instrumental piece. I guess it's more of a twangy piece. It was something where I could really, for once, put a little bit of 'This is my job' and try to bring out what's in my head to the Experimentally, That freedom was great.”
Fans have more to look forward to from HAYLA as she is set to take the stage at the Roxy Theater in Los Angeles for her debut headline show on December 4. Meanwhile listen DARKNESS Below and find the new album on streaming platforms. here.
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