European listeners might feel disoriented by ‘Sha La La‘s summery feel, yet one must remember that the talented songstress behind it, January Blue, lives and creates in New Zealand, where it is, in fact, summer right now. ‘Sha La La’ marks her latest single, a hazy, expansive gem that feels carefree and a little playful, a blend of alt and dream pop that’s a joy to listen to.
Next to its hypnotic aural outlook, ‘Sha La La’ also rejoices in the empowering, resilient lyricism delivered by Blue’s soulful, nostalgic vocals. In fact, the song is part of a longer storyline which started in a previous effort, ‘Boys Club’. Inspired by a friend’s heartbreak, January explores the heavy pain and grief that follows a romantic crash, only to then realise that not all hope is lost, reframing the narrative more positively.
Delving deeper into the lyrical saga that has propelled her last two singles, January Blue explains: “‘Boys Club’ and ‘Sha La La’ were written within a week of each other. ‘Boys Club’ was an acknowledgement of the hurt, while ‘Sha La La’ became a manifestation of what I wished would happen next for her: the victory of knowing she’s better off.” We appreciate how such relatable songwriting might very well entice a global audience.
Recommended! Discover ‘Sha La La’ now: