ilham finds liberation and clarity on bold new EP, "uhm…ok?"

The genre-blurring pop/R&B talent known as ilham enters her most honest chapter with the release of her EP, "uhm…ok?," which consists of a 10-song trip that lasts just over 23 minutes but is full of sharp edges, lush textures, and a liberating message. Executive produced by ilham with Fridayy (GloRilla, Drake, Wiz Khalifa) and GRAMMY-nominated Mombru (Chris Brown, Muni Long, OhGeesy), the project seamlessly weaves a combination of pop, R&B, and house elements. But beyond its refinement, "uhm … ok?" is a declaration of self-ownership, perseverance, and soft rebellion.

The title track, which first streamed on Zane Lowe's Apple Music 1 show, serves as a scene setter with its hypnotic tune that ponders what follows the calm before the storm, but a shrug, a smirk, and an in-breath step beyond. The track "Company" wrestles with intimacy, and smoky vocals drip atop minimalist production; "games" is a sharp-edged kicker that slices clean through the haze, confident and clear. "uhm…ok?" is breezy but weighty, catchy but thoughtful, universal yet deeply personal.

With every track, there is a sense of a journal entry distilled into song, guiding the listener through moments of tenderness, disconnection, and empowerment. The through-line isn't heartbreak or healing, but the understanding that freedom most often starts with the refusal to shoulder what wasn't yours. In less than 30 minutes, ilham develops a universe in which self-respect is the loudest beat and emotional peace the chorus worth repeating. "uhm…ok?" is an EP that shows a state of mind, a mild form of protest, and a rallying cry to remind us that sometimes the most remarkable thing we can do is say, "uhm…ok?".

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