I met Dua Saleh when they appeared on seasons three and four of the British teen sex comedy drama Sex Education. They played Cal Bowman, a nonbinary American navigating gender expression in society and relationships. They’re rebellious and cool, stylish and authentic. I adored watching them go about existing in a world that wanted to box them in.
The first song I heard by Saleh was “playing games,” off their 2024 album I SHOULD CALL THEM. My college radio show centered around queer artists and bands, and in my last semester I narrowed in on themes for every month; I played Saleh during Black History Month alongside other nonbinary/gender expansive musicians. They definitely stood out: “playing games” is dreamy and quick, and draws me in instantly. The chorus soothes me every time: “Don’t tie me in knots / Baby loosen the strings / Break through the walls / Where the curtains ascend / Let me forget where your body begins / And mine ends.”
Saleh's latest album, Of Earth & Wires gripped me as I listened. I felt chained to this record, and I’m not complaining! The 38 minute album whizzed by, and it felt like I was jolted awake from a dream when the last song ended. The album's sound plays with a lot of tones and tempos, but the dreamy lo-fi clicks and buzzes stick to every note. Saleh has mastered the art of balancing airy vocals against heavy beats and bass.
The album begins with “5 Days,” with Joji-like guitar strumming and oceanic waves of intensity pulling back and forth. At just over the 90 second mark the song softly explodes. The beat turns industrial and scratchy, and Saleh rips into my ears with shiny auto-tuned screaming.
“B r e a t h e” follows, exhibiting the virtuoso that is Saleh’s balancing act. The beat is pounding and driving but doesn’t overtake their pinprick-like vocals. You know that face that people make at raves when the music is so good it makes their mouths frown and their eyebrows narrow like they just ate something rotten? That was my face listening to this song. It goes hard.
Bon Iver is featured in three songs (“Flood,” “Keep Away” and “Glow”), and his voice melts into Saleh’s sweetly, mixing like tea and honey. “Keep Away” would have been elevated if Thundercat hopped onto it; same thing for “Glow,” but with BROCKHAMPTON (though it’s a bit late for it … ) or Childish Gambino. The sounds of those tracks would fit naturally in those other artists’ discographies too. The bass and “almost” beat drops could’ve detonated completely rather than sparking into a small fire, but that's not a complaint. Justin Vernon (frontman of Bon Iver) knows how to insert himself into the small spaces where’s he’s needed.
Gaidaa (“Anemic”) and aja monet (“ALL IS LOVE”) are also featured artists, and are people I’m now discovering thanks to Saleh. I gave Gaidaa’s sophomore album, YARN, a listen; she reminds me of a ton of SZA or Kehlani, her beats soft like peach fuzz against her feathery voice. aja monet has an album coming out next week, the color of rain, and she’s doing some cool stuff with her most recent releases. She’s known for spoken word poetry in the majority of her music. One of her poems is featured in “ALL IS LOVE,” wrapping up the track in bliss.
A little bit of Doja Cat, a sprinkle of Sudan Archives, a dash of SZA, a touch of WILLOW, a drop of Joji and at least half a cup of Dreamer Isioma makes this album what it is. Dua Saleh has gone from performing poetry at open mic nights for a few dozen people to a underground concerts (like at Grinnell College right here in Iowa!) to going on an international tour (which includes Chop Shop in Chicago September 23!).
I hope you all enjoy Of Earth & Wires as much as I do. It’s a gem.
