STAY: Noya Rao's dreamy sound is infectiously good

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Noya Rao emerged from a thriving Leeds indie scene with a unique sound and something to say. The quartet consists of lead vocalist Olivia Battacharjee, bassist Jim Wiltshire, Matt Davies on drums and Tom Henry on keys, who doubles as a producer for the group. Henry, a well-known figure on the Yorkshire circuit who has also worked with other emerging musicians like Yellow Days, originally planned a solo project but found collaboration vital to flesh out his production ideas and formed Noya Rao. The band’s first release, 2017’s ‘Icaros’ was a generally well-received album that established the group in the electronic music space in Leeds. Their latest offering ‘STAY’, is a stirring project that showcases the band’s best features while also displaying a sense of growth and evolution.

Noya Rao blend elements from a varied range of genres to create a distinct sound. There is a clear appreciation of a number of genres, most notably soul, jazz and dance music. But Noya Rao aren’t content with simply paying homage. They’re trailblazers in their own right, putting their own spin on what came before them to forge their own musical identity. STAY stands out because of the kaleidoscope of sound that’s featured in production, from synth to stirring violins, vibrant percussion and a multitude of digital effects all fused seamlessly to create ambient, atmospheric tracks that immediately captivate you. It’s almost as though Noya Rao transport you into their world, filled with warm synth melodies, soft yet evocative basslines and Olivia Battacharjee’s honeyed vocals, which are deeply ingrained in Noya Rao’s sound. The vocals transcend traditional boundaries and Battacharjee’s husky yet gentle tones fit the track like an ethereal choral instrument itself. When all these ingredients are combined, the final product tends to be a profound, psychedelic journey that also puts a groove in your step. It’s electronica that feels distinctly human.

It’s refreshing to hear a band that experiments with their sound but still manages to create a sense of familiarity and attachment with their music. An impressive facet of Noya Rao is how the disparate sounds and elements are balanced in perfect harmony. Each band member gets to flaunt their individuality while also significantly contributing to the bigger picture. Nothing is ever jarring, or disconnects you from the song. Each song has a perfect flow to it that imbues this EP with a peaceful, serene aura that’s hard to resist.

Opening track Pina is an intoxicating account of a night of spontaneous passion, describing how the night unfolded and the various feelings attached to a hook-up. Heaven Bound portrays a more serious level of intimacy and is more thoughtful and pensive, with Battacharjee referring to having someone be there for her in her ‘darkest hours’. The project’s titular track, Stay, immediately takes you into a darker, dreamier realm, with warbling synths and an introspective look at a relationship.

Overall, STAY is an exciting, gripping project that represents an evolved Noya Rao, a group that’s not only identified their strengths but honed in on them.