Suela Wants You To Dream Away With Her (CD REVIEW)

[kidd f]

When I first heard “Dream Away” in July of 2009, I was intrigued by what sounded like a quietly colossal song. It was breezy and dusky and unlike anything I had heard before. A hazy, post-punk rock guitar hook, sustained by a beat that’s crisp and lively. Then enters the clenching innocence of a lead synth. A tune wondrous, lush and catchy enough to make anyone want to dream away. Emerging from this aural mirage, the sound of a velvety smooth voice bearing maternal comfort, floral sensuality and dove-like purity. When a few months later, a CD launch was announced, I was thrilled. I had been looking forward to hearing more from this passionate cantatrice.

A sort of revelation took place on December 2nd, 2009, the date marking Suela Mero’s debut CD launch at Club MAA. In attendance: an enthusiastic crowd of friends and fans, enamored by her good looks, charismatic personality, magnetic glare and bright, beaming smile.

Her debut album, “Truly Yours”, is an introspective and personal journey that has received many positive reviews thus far: a remarkably well-produced full length CD that’s diverse, easy to listen to and uplifting, with many strong moments such as “Dream Away”, “My Cliché”, “With You” just to name a few. Carving a niche in the electronica, more specifically, in the world music scene, requires a certain mysticism, empiricalness, style and uniqueness, all of which Suela possesses. Here, we are served with house, rock, hip hop, ambient, all rolled into one divine, intoxicating musical blend, with beauty that flows like fresh, sparkling spring water, quenching and cathartic. Perhaps the kind of catharsis one needs in order to find a sense of fulfilment in a life marked by overwhelming highs and turbulent lows.

For Suela, what could have been a seemingly sheltered upbringing and relatively normal life has been tainted with grief and hardship. From her family being persecuted in her native Albania during her childhood, forcing her to move to bordering Greece, to later immigrating to Canada where she spoke very little English; struggling to get by, singing at bouzouki clubs; even, alas, a brush with death following a life-altering accident that could have left her bed-ridden for months (or worse)… Amidst the river of cruelty and pain that is life, there’s always a glimmer of hope that keeps you going, with your head held high. In hindsight, achievements allow you to recognize that faith and effort will, in the end, make everything seem worth while. Suela started singing and dancing at the age of five, sang illustriously in a choir for numerous years, studied business at McGill University, competed in Canadian Idol and passed several auditions making it to the last fifteen, now has a CD under her belt and her next big goal is to take part in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, representing Albania and without a doubt, marking her territory and making a bold, cultural impact.

Suela can also take pride in the fact that she’s a damn good singer and songwriter too. With her unique vocal texture, signature melodic curves, ethereal vocal quality and versatile style ranging from mids to highs (in “Vagabondina” for instance, where she makes proper use of her chest range and adopts the right attitude, and in “Life”, where her powerful and breathtaking head voice shines); with words that are simple, yet heartfelt and sincere, demonstrating her lyrical abilities in songs such as “401” where she revisits the painful memory of that fateful winter night on the highway, her cheerful playfulness in “The Ride” or the irresistible sweetness of “My Cliché”, timing, delivery, choice of words as well as dosage, everything appears to be working seamlessly. Adding to the album’s artistic variations, many talented local artists have collaborated on the project: Arthur Kalimidis’ fiery guitar in “401”, rapper Big Bricc’s poetry in motion in “Vagabondina” and superstar DJ and producer Vivie-Ann, showcasing her excellent production skills in a remix of “With You”, where Suela’s magic and heartwarming sensuality radiate anew.

Discover Suela’s story today. Truly and sincerely, yours.

Florence Touliatos / kidd f
Features Columnist
florence_29@hotmail.com


Suela’s “Truly Yours” is available at the following online outlets:

Suela’s web site:

http://suelamusic.com/Home.html

iTunes:
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=346313678&s=143441

Amie Street:
http://amiestreet.com/music/suela/truly-yours/

Amazon:
Amazon.com: Truly Yours: Suela: MP3 Downloads

LaLa:
http://www.lala.com/#album/2306124486335735898/Suela/Truly_Yours