Copenhagen-based Somali-Danish artist Bashir Billow explores self-discovery and belonging throughout his debut album How Will It Be, where electronic production meets organic instrumentation and alternative R&B songwriting. Written, produced, and recorded by Billow over 18 months in a basement studio at Copenhagen’s Kapelvej 44, the album grew from an effort to trust his own instincts after years of collaborative work, with family and cultural memory becoming central to its perspective.
Opening the album with lushly evolving intrigue, “Solitaire” weaves rainy-day keys and warbled synths as mellow tones repeat a mantra-like progression of self-discovery in isolation. The “by myself” and “find myself” phrasing hypnotizes into string-laden undercurrents, sounding like a cross of Dijon’s soulfulness and later-era Talk Talk sophistication. Ensuing track “Mirrors” then revels in a punchier rhythmic allure, with backing harmonies stirring, especially in the “make it somehow” hooky vigor. The album’s opening one-two punch is thematically strong, initially encountering a state of isolation and drive for confidence, culminating in the perseverant “make it somehow” ethos within the commanding “Mirrors.”
Another standout, “Reminiscing” embraces a late-night atmospheric pull, its murky piano and heartfelt vocal arrangements giving off Frank Ocean vibes. Its minimalist backing instrumentation succeeds here, just as do more expansive productions like “Mirrors” and “With You,” which swells from warming synths and a subdued delivery to reassuring sentiments on family and togetherness, capturing how even imperfect families and relationships can inspire self-improvement. Elsewhere, “Hey, Talk” struts an R&B entrancement in its shifts between understated acoustic guitar and chilly electronic atmospherics, arriving into a gorgeous final minute with multi-layered harmonies and sophisti-pop textural prowess. The album is consistent in its knack for memorable soundscapes and emotional lyrical explorations.
The subsequent “How Will It Be” stirs as well, its opening desire to avoid being “another no-show” expands into heightened emotional delivery and glistening keys. The swooning, soaring title refrain pairs with spine-tingling keys, spacey electronics, and soulful reflections for a wholly immersive production, one of many throughout the release. Album finale “Go On” is a moving send-off, melding moonlight and rain-laden descriptions with ponderings of what awaits in one’s life. “Is this how you wanna lose it all?” Billow’s delivery asks as beautiful synth tones venture forth. Wordlessly soaring harmonies and glimmering electronic frequencies then evolve into a satiating, string-touched conclusion. How Will It Be is a strikingly beautiful album from Bashir Billow, whose infusion of personal, identity-centered themes with soulful R&B pop savvy makes for a wonderfully resonant listening experience.
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