From a record carrying such a sober, painful title, one would expect a great amount of lyrical pathos and melancholic energy… that’s exactly what you’ll get. Penned by young songstress Lilia Asha, ‘Gaslighted’ tries to put a series of difficult feelings into musical imagery. It’s a difficult process, as the matter at hand is quite painful and complex. Yet, the British artist manages to deliver a heartfelt reflection that’s truly nuanced and authentic. She does so with luscious and elegant vocals, delivered on top of a classically flavoured acoustic arrangement.
Curiously, Asha performed the song for the first time at Sydney Opera House, when she was 12. The version we are hearing now is gently being reworked to mirror her wiser, older self, although she’s still just 14. In that sense, Lilia’s artistic maturity is quite impressive: all the telltale signs of a successful future career are here. Regarding ‘Gaslighted’, the piece then received a piano arrangement by Vitalii Kuzovkov, with the overall production being completed in Shanghai by Starcle music, and further mixed in Sydney. This is a record that has travelled the world, just like Lilia Asha.
As its title suggests, the song focuses on a rather meaningful theme, and we are confident people will relate to it. As we are told: “It explores the personal, horrible, isolating feeling of being gaslit: that slow, painful journey of having your reality and trust dismantled. The song digs into this experience at a very raw and deep level. It’s a deeply relatable anthem for anyone who has ever felt betrayed or belittled, using the powerful, vivid imagery of ‘barbed wires’ and memories ‘stained like wine on a dress’.”
Recommended! Discover ‘Gaslighted’ now: