Novaea Whispers Hope Into the Static
The way Novaea sings about love exudes a very subdued confidence as if they have been through it all; the euphoria, pain and aftermath – and have subsequently selected to have faith in love. Currenly at the age 23, the Canadian singer-songwriter has a diverse life experience; born in Trinidad and Tobago, raised in part within Brooklyn and shaped most recently by the calmness that Canada provides. The geographical locations influence the music, providing warmth within the soul, while contemporarily using modern pop music combined with a background of R&B sounds, that come alive like electricity within concrete walls.
"True Love" marks the introduction of Novaea's three-part musical and visual trilogy that provides insight into Novaea's intentions for producing the trilogy. At Chapter One; "True Love" captures the euphoric moment, it is the time frame prior to hitting rock bottom, when hope has the flavour of cold, refreshing beer on a summer evening and before the destruction of the future. This statement does not include current trends nor contains irony. The tempo within this song slows your heart rate down, as this song creates a comfortable space for a person to be emotional within a society so dependent on quickness and connection at the surface level. The artist has strong beliefs that real love still exists and you can listen to real love through the breaths taken between live lines of this song.
In their singing style, Novaea conveys a sense of control. Their vocals do not support the hype; they support the trust. The phrases touch down softly and hold the listener's attention like the static of silence after the music. The visuals correlate to the rhythm of the music in both grounding the action and not being afraid of allowing the cinematic story to provide a space for pause in order to create emotional release. There is solidity within the narrative of "True Love." The solidity is provided by the weight beneath the melody and the core of the message.
From a story standpoint, "True Love" illustrates how a Hero's Journey is a place of uncertainty, a place where the character learns to believe. The act of trusting another person enough to open themselves up and take the risk of opening their heart before knowing whether or not that heart will be broken is a pivotal choice. "True Love" is an emotional map that outlines what comes next - heartbreak, betrayal, reflection - based on the concept of self-worth that grows out of honesty and integrity.
The artistry of Novaea lives in those micro-beats of emotion that connect us to one another and remind us of who we are. It lives in the gap where we feel the feelings of expectation hitting us along with the reality of our expectations. It is within that space, where we see ourselves reflected back at us, where the connection occurs. "True Love" is not attempting to sell you a fantasy. It is holding up a mirror and allowing you to step closer.