ZALI: “Girls Like Us” – an ambitious blend of bravado and sultry charm

ZALI is an emerging Irish Singer-songwriter creating a buzz in Ireland and the UK with her powerful vocals and the distinct cross-genre sound of Soul-Pop. Passionate about music since her childhood ZALI began performing to crowds of all sizes via her church choir which confirmed her artistic calling. Years of vocal training and a signature sound blended from old-school R&B, mixed with Soul-Pop brings ZALI to her latest single “Girls Like Us”. An anthem for woman around the world, the track was written after the singer had been suffering from heartbreak. ZALI is a powerhouse vocalist, stylistically contemporary but one that digs deep to harvest emotion. To me, her vocals are replete with authenticity.

ZALI’s songwriting skills also have to be highlighted as they conjure up visual storytelling at its best. Heartache, loss, regret and yes, hope, will take you to a place that you seldom find in pop music nowadays. Some female vocalists adapt a stylized way of singing.

ZALI’s vocals are stylized but she’s more Nina Simone than indie soul singer. This is a singer-songwriter with loads of talent well beyond her years and a vocalist with the chops to back up her ambitious blend of bravado and sultry charm.

It doesn’t hurt that she’s able to nimbly move from verse to chorus to without any discernible drop-off. That type of versatility might explain why the song never seems forced. Amidst an immaculate production centered around a subtle hip-hop beat and warm keys, ZALI is able to flex her lyrical muscles and show her strength in the face of the vulnerability of a relationship gone bad:

“Well I remember what you said. You told me you felt different. You told me I should go. I told you that I loved you. You chose to let me go.” Then moving onto the chorus: “Now girls like us don’t love. Girls like us don’t trust. Girls like us just want fun…”

For those of us who have never heard ZALI, “Girls Like Us” introduces a songstress with a fresh voice and a fresh prospective. Her voice is rich and clean enough not to need all the musical override and remix that have come to be acceptable in the popular music business.

In addition to clear and melodious pipes, ZALI sings the songs that today’s woman should hear. More importantly, the song show a high level of self-acceptance and self-empowerment. If smooth, soulful, polished and meaningful music is already your favorite kind — then no sweat! You’ll love “Girls Like Us” from the get-go.

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