Nelda is a London-based singer-songwriter and educator who has been released her own music since 2020. Her concept album “Between Two Worlds” which she undertook as a part of her Master’s dissertation explores themes of voluntary migration for which she interacted with citizens all over the globe. The second track from the album “InBetween Two Worlds” is a jazzy song that does justice to the themes of belonging and unbelonging!

The track starts off with rhythmic keys and hi-hat heavy percussion setting the foundations for a Jazzy sonic palette right off the bat. The percussion is ruffled and smooth which is quite soothing for a listener. The melody is avant-garde, owing its uniqueness to the genre. Although only a limited number of instruments and sonic elements are used, the track is able to maintain its complexity and unpredictability.

Nelda has a strong voice that she uses in staccato fashion and much of the variation on the track originates from her performance.  I personally quite enjoyed her vocal inflections and stylistic choices in terms of delivery. The back-up vocals and the keys solo are used scarcely yet effectively, bringing with them a coolness and lightness!

The songwriting explores the state of being in-between, of being both and neither at the same time. Nelda explores it optimistically, with the idea of having more than one world to share, but she is also able to lay bare the brokenness that comes with the unbelonging; the capacity to never be whole.

When you are in the mood for some Jazzy avant-garde songwriting, make sure to check out “Inbetween Two Worlds” by Nelda here: