Inglewood-based pianist, poet, and vocalist Qur’an Shaheed has announced that her sophomore album Pulse will arrive on July 11 via Leaving Records. First single “Dreams”—which features Shaheed alongside Caleb Buchanan on bass, Mekela Session on drums, and Spencer Hartling on tape loops, drum machine, and FX dubbing—begins with rubbery, percussive synth rolls and a pretty remarkable vocal performance from Shaheed. “I dream,” she declares, like a badge of honor, before she asks: “Do you still dream?” The song presents its final form over halfway through, expansive and stunning with a melodious bass melody and a choir full of manipulated, fragmented vocal lines. A dream, indeed.
The album was produced by Hartling at his Altadena studio. “Spencer really helped solidify the demos that I had created,” Shaheed says regarding the collaboration. “He truly added the magic. I had seen him perform a few times, and I loved his improvisation.”
Check out “Dreams” below, and pre-order Pulse here.
