A glance at the album cover for Dua Saleh’s debut album, I SHOULD CALL THEM, and you’ll get an idea of how the Senegalese-American singer-songwriter is different from contemporaries and other genre-benders from years past. Ever since striking gold with their 2019 EP, Nūr, their upward climb is less of a surprise and more of a natural progression, considering how boundary-pushing they were from the get-go. Beyond their own music, they’ve kept busy anywhere and everywhere, whether it be working on Travis Scott’s Utopia or starring in Netflix’s Sex Education.

With I SHOULD CALL THEM, it’s no wonder why Saleh has become such an in-demand artist, where the constant. But perhaps more than anything, the album is them at their most revealing, leading to revelations in themself and the wider music world.

A new genre with each track

Although a majority of the album is washed in an electronic paint job marked by its pristine quality, multiple genres are fused into the formula throughout in a way that gives each song a unique identity. The guitar and bass on “want” is reminiscent of similar envelope pusher Yves Tumor, but Saleh stops short of imitation and injects their own sensual style.

In contrast to “want,” “bo peep” features an unorthodox trap beat filtered through a watery dispenser that differentiates the track to the point where even the most adventurous rappers might not touch it. But in the hands of Saleh, they carefully weave it between two songs that take less from the rap sphere yet transition.

Not every track is easy to pin down when it comes to genre influences, a testament to Saleh’s creativity. “cradle” captures them on an unpredictable note, largely due to the instrumental, which changes about as much as Saleh’s voice. The glitchy textures hit harder than they would when placed next to momentary harmonizing, where the line between Saleh and the production is a blur that does not ask to be analyzed but instead seeks to hypnotize.

Vocals belonging to multiple people

As far back as Nūr, Saleh is the bearer of a dynamic voice, sometimes achieved through the help of alterations but more often than not a byproduct of their talent. On I SHOULD CALL THEM, the constantly shifting production means their vocals similarly shapeshift in directions heard and unheard of by Saleh. The sudden difference in register on the second verse of “pussy suicide” comes as a welcomed surprise that doubles as a testament to Saleh, who always keeps listeners on their toes no matter how familiar they may be with their music.

“time & time again” is I SHOULD CALL THEM at its most romantic, opting for impassioned vocals ripe with desperation. While “chi girl” found Saleh trying out a new voice every few seconds, the relative focus on one register speaks to their discipline in doing what’s suitable for each track. The duet with Sid Sriram makes for a slow seduction that the two singers take to heart, giving their all as if they were opening themselves up to a new partner at the puppy love stage.

Atmospheres from another world

If there was one thing that could have been predicted leading up to I SHOULD CALL THEM, it’s the uniqueness in atmospheres mirroring the emotional highs and lows Saleh takes us on. “chi girl,” with its electronic pulses and breathy production, is almost a living creature in itself, one that has a self-sustaining microenvironment if details dotted in the background are anything to go off of.

While the album is another step in a new direction for Saleh, they still harken back to where they started in a way that shows their evolution. “2excited” bridges the beginning of Saleh’s career and where they find themself now, showing how they are still in tune with all the sides listeners have become accustomed to. By the time the distortion comes in at the end, tailgating a whaling horn comparable to the musical equivalent of a whale cry, the song reveals itself as a war cry for the type of artistic rebellion Saleh is willing to wage if need be.

No matter the familiarity one might have with Saleh before listening to I SHOULD CALL THEM, there’s an unmistakable sense that the album is tailor-made for them and them only. Any arguments made about any other artist or band creating a song like “2excited” or “cradle” fall flat when everything, from the vocal techniques to the production, reflects how Saleh has expressed themself as an artist. In their own words, “I am being honest with myself with this record, this is my story.” Whenever they pop back up again, either with an EP or another full-length project, their story is something to look forward to.

Words: David Sosa

Visit Dua Saleh on their Instagram and website to stay updated on new releases and tickets to potential shows.