“This is going to be the moment of the album where I’m gonna need you to do a bit more. If it’s waving your hands, if it’s shaking your hips, like everybody be doing in Philly now, if it’s nodding your head side to side, I just need us to let loose.” – Sanovia on learning to let go – reprise.
Sanovia released her first full-length album, Playlist, just in time for Summer 2024 and the 27-minute live album packs a punch.
Who is Sanovia? Multi-hyphenate of multi-hyphenates, she’s a confluence of hip-hop, R & B and neo-soul. She’s also an entrepreneur, poet, joy coach, designer and more.
Live albums are a gamble for musicians. Even when massive artists have virtually unlimited stage production resources, it’s still uncommon for them to replicate the same sonic quality and polish of a studio release. For lesser-known performers, it’s even more difficult to release a live album that reflects their best efforts.
Playlist is an achievement. Plain and simple. Sanovia showcases her voice, her musicality and, perhaps most notably, her ability to make a live performance feel more special, intimate and joyous than much more prominent artists.
The second track on Playlist, learning to let go, is a perfect introduction to Sanovia as an artist. The track begins with a staccato keyboard and Sanovia informing her audience how excited she is to share this song with her audience. Starting off in her lower register – smoky and velvety, the song grows as she arrives at the chorus, belting in her higher register and bringing in the other musicians – drums, guitar, bass and more voices. The song feels like a celebration of growing as a person by allowing those who don’t benefit you to exit your life.
Find Sanovia on Instagram @iamsanovia and check out her music and more on the Philly Soul Now 2024 Playlist.