Save Me
On December 2, Philly-based artist Nazzy the Mic released her final project for 2022 – her EP Save Me. To put it simply, Nazzy the Mic harnessed her lyrical prowess and produced a deeply vulnerable EP. Save Me takes full advantage of new instrumentation, bringing in pianos, keyboards, acoustic guitars, and brighter beats. Typically, Nazzy and her team use deeper and darker sounds to give the listener a look into her soul, but this EP has more to do with emotion than deep seated trauma. It’s clear that the enormous pressure of sustaining herself and her loved ones is starting to take its toll on her. She even uses the lyrics “I’m not alright/But I told you that imma be ok” in more than one track, effectively tying together the theme of the EP.
Nazzy starts the EP with “Pain Away.” The track opens with acoustic guitar and piano. They create an honest energy, supporting the stripped back feel of the lyrics. Nazzy stresses that she can’t save everything, but she can help take some of the pain away. The electronic beat relies heavily on the tinny timbre of the high-hat drums, bringing an unsettling sense of anxiety or urgency. The middle track, “No Way I Switch” is a bit angrier than the others. She’s been betrayed by someone close to her, even though she’s been loyal the entire time. The lyrics are still accompanied by keys, but this time the piano is accented with a funk-inspired organ in the verses. It’s a bit retro and nostalgic, a perfect choice for a track about people from your past. Nazzy closes Save Me with “Hopeless Pt. 2,” easily the most emotional track on the EP. She opens by explaining she wrote the track “in the mirror,” and that her heart is “black & blue,” painting a vivid picture of a vulnerable young woman feeling alone in her pain. Nazzy is really feeling the pressure around her, taking up self-destructive activities to deal. However, she feels enormous guilt because she knows people are looking up to her. The featured piano melody is crisp and clear, but melancholy, with a distant guitar adding intensity. Even though the EP isn’t as hopeful as other pieces by Nazzy the Mic, she knows she has to refocus on her goals and stay on track.
From what I can see, Nazzy has already released a track in 2023, and shows no signs of slowing down. Keep an eye on this artist, she’s only scratching the surface of her potential.
Image via Spotify
