Saya Gray's "LIE DOWN..." Is a Reserved, Spellbinding Gem
Photo: Jennifer Cheng
Japanese Canadian artist Saya Gray is on a mission to redefine the boundaries of music, refusing to be confined by labels and genres. Her sound, a reflection of her style and general outlook, is bold and nonconformist. With a lineage of artists in her blood, she is driven to create, never settling for the status quo.
These ideals are beautifully showcased in her latest track, “LIE DOWN..,” a harmonious blend of unique elements. While retaining some of her signature alt-pop elements, Gray ventures into folk-leaning sounds, introducing acoustic guitars in place of the usual high-energy synths. These elements, at times, are subtly woven into the song, using softer vocals or a muted guitar strum, inviting you to listen again and delve deeper into the music.
Scattered throughout this laid-back pop ballad are psychedelic synth sounds that perfectly contrast each other. This contrast is most pronounced near the song's end, where a trance-like outro is layered over a simple chord progression. The result is unexpectedly calming, almost soothing, inviting you to bask in the soundwave of the elements coming together.
Gray is anything but complacent and strives to put the most honest version of herself and her work out into the universe. With three tracks released so far from her upcoming debut album SAYA, set to release February 21, it feels like a distinct departure from the more frenetic vibe of her QWERTY EPs, admitting she “had to calm down for this album.” With all the music and design projects she has her hands on and influence in, it seems her career path, drive, and work ethic are anything but calm. We should feel lucky that we have been blessed with consistently great music that keeps us on our toes.
Watch the "LIE DOWN..." video below:
January 21, 2025
