Salle redefines strength through her debut EP "Only Sad People Smile"

Nigeria's latest viral superstar, Salle, releases her long-awaited debut EP, "Only Sad People Smile." Rounding off at under sixteen minutes with over seven tracks, this is a remarkably personal and raw listening experience which serves to showcase how briefness can carry a substantial punch.

Composed entirely by Salle, "Only Sad People Smile" beautifully encapsulates the unfiltered contradiction of heartache and hope. The EP is, at its core, a meditation on how to bear pain and find grace in the breath. Salle turns her most fragile feelings to poetry, showing that despite the darkness, beauty and empowerment can still flourish.

The EP opens with "Therapy," a song that is at once vulnerable and bold, allowing listeners entry into Salle's internal monologue with stripped-down warmth that feels both personal and universal. "Underskirt" is the unforgettable centerpiece: an anthem of female defiance and empowerment. Set to a rhythm and accompanied by an equally interesting visualizer, Salle invites listeners to reclaim self-belief at a time when the world continually erodes it.

"Pressure" demonstrates Salle's ability to combine softness and strength. She reflects on her dreams and ambitions, feeling the tension between struggle and persistence. "Rebound" is another standout, glowing with very human storytelling and Salle's way of crafting melodies that linger long after the track ends. The title of the EP becomes a mirror, it serves as a callout for everyone, humanity itself, to ask themselves how they conceal their true feelings as Salle confesses hers publicly without fear. Her poet-like delivery, as well as her melodic instincts, render the project a deep introduction.

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