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Photo: Shauna Summers

We are immersed in a world where false realities become normative, a digital tapestry of illusory gains and goals, a mindset where our shadows can be confused for people. Coming out of that reality, or at the very least learning to understand it, is a rebirth, a transformation from one cohesion of force to something more chaotic, open cognizance. One does not need to deeply understand Plato’s allegory of the cave to appreciate Mulay’s latest EP, IVORY, as a simmering brew of excellence, a collage of majestic sound design that simultaneously pulls your senses to and fro. But if you have philosophic tenancies, if you love the archeology of discovering the meanings submerged in songs, then IVORY, and Mulay’s work in general, is your desired subject matter. 

Hailing from Munich, attending uni in the Netherlands, and now residing in Berlin, Mulay has the sophisticated influences expected of the daughter of a jazz, classical, and experimental producer—cosmopolitan, intellectually attentive, and layered. All this is most evident in the totality of her aesthetic design, from purposeful visuals and deft style choices, Mulay is the type of artist that evidences her choices in every note, shadow, and fashion section. But her song output has a generous emotive sound, approachable, founded on the everyday accessibility of R&B, elongated with sweeping cinematic production and sparse electronic rhythms. 

IVORY begins with a self-titled intro track, a short palate setting sonic prelude. "IVORY" unravels as a piano melody over a girthy beat and a spoken word into rapping verse that hints at Kendrick's cadence and style, before becoming more elongated and harmonic vocally true to its evolutionary message, “The image stuck in my head / light coming from the darkness / You could be blinded by the sun, but you have to face the light in order to find truth / It’s the beginning of the process / It’s a way of locating transformation.” Followed by the lead single "SEE ME" a slowly building, hopeful-sounding chord structure that bounces with a kick drum-driven rhythm with effect-driven samples and steel string moans, all serving as a comfortable bed for Mulay’s exceptional vocal tonality and range. "MOOD SWINGS" is a delicate, sticky sweet effort that again shines the light on Mulay’s mellifluous voice and well-stitched lyrics, a softly placed love letter saying goodbye, too beautiful to stop reading. The EP ends with "TWTC" (Toxic Ways To Cope) a song that has a nuanced Beyoncé feel, in its staccato R&B can’t wrong me again vibes but ends in a layered polyrhythmic crescendo that is an affirmational culmination.

In its entirety, IVORY is a precious good, natural but procured through a journey of painful realization, coveted and brighter. A glimpse of heaven staring into the sun. 

Listen to IVORY below: