Song review: Slowly by Austin artist NOA is intimate listening
Imagine slow dancing in your bedroom, pressed into your partner, lights dimmed low. Austin-based solo artist NOA calls you to strip down your layers to the most vulnerable core. “Slowly” by NOA starts with light, soulful cymbals and whimsical hi hats to prelude chr0niac’s reggae inspired harmonies on electric guitar. Michael Longoria, on drums, makes tempo a prevailing element to this track while J. Cherry Beatz plays an eight count of chords layered behind the vocals.
Singer Noa Belillti’s soprano voice lures you in like a siren to the sea. “Tell it to me, slooowly”, she deliberately drawls out for dramatic effect, beckoning the listener. The femininity behind Belillti’s voice drips with sensuality. “You ain’t fooling nobody”, her voice dips down lower, taunting to get the listener to divulge their most intimate secrets.
Longoria could rely on a basic snare and tom if he wanted, but no. Longoria taps the high hat lightly. He holds tempo with two kicks and another on a half beat, followed up with the snare. Cymbals crash, emphasizing the hook: “Loving you all day”. Longoria moves across the drum set while Belillti covers a range of vocals over one verse with ease.
Belillti is putting down roots here in Austin. Graduating from University of Texas’s Butler School of Music, the young songwriter has been performing with locals Hector Ward and The Big Time, known around town for their broad spectrum of genres, ranging from country to rock and roll to Latin. “Slowly” moves from Hector Ward’s inclusive sound for organic, neo-soul. easy listening as she begins to create a sound that defines her own songwriting.
“Slowly” is expected to be included on NOA’s debut solo album and is Belillti’s fifth solo track released. Belillti hopes to create healing energy through her musical performance. Before music, Noa Belillti was an environmental activist, starting her own bean bag company using organic fabrics such as hemp and recycled materials for stuffing.
If you miss R&B tunes from the 2000’s and are listening to Kehlani’s easy listening tunes, check out this track and follow NOA on social media.
