Commencing this appraisal with the declaration that Aradia’s eponymous album Aradia is a timely and therapeutic sonic salve would be an understatement. In the midst of a tumultuous week fraught with myriad challenges, this album emerged as a beacon of solace, refocusing my senses and restoring my equilibrium.
The rejuvenation initiates with the resplendent “Slow Yer Roll,” a track that indisputably ranks among the year’s most infectious. The hooks embedded within it blaze with an unquenchable fire, pulsating with an arresting combination of rhythm and emotion.
A treasure trove of eight more compositions awaited my exploration, underscoring Aradia’s artistic versatility. She proves to be no one-trick pony, seamlessly transitioning between adrenaline-inducing pop anthems like “Gamma” and the worldly allure of “Keep On.” The lyrical narrative in “Keep On” is universally relatable, urging us to persevere in our dance, even when the world seems poised for its twilight.
Within the album’s songs, “All Right” emerges as a veritable club anthem, the kind of track that begs for the honor of concluding the end credits of a cinematic masterpiece. Meanwhile, “The Light” beckons listeners into a celestial reverie, as if floating on ethereal clouds.
In summation, Aradia is a bright and fun album that feels unapologetically optimistic. I am here to revel in it.