If you haven’t already heard of the Chicago based duo DRAMA, get ready for a world of soulful electronic magic. After meeting through a mutual friend and instantly connecting, producer Na’el Shehade and vocalist Via Rosa combined their strengths from working in the Hip-Hop/R&B scene to bring a new darkness and passion to electronic dance. Earlier this year the two caught the attention of Noisey with the release of Hopes Up, a touching love story filled with warm, romantic synths. Months later, DRAMA brings back that same magical sound in their LP Gallows.
Gallows – short for “Gallows Humor” – is a dreamy, synth-heavy exploration of love and loss and the journey to come to terms with it all. Tracks like Forever’s Gone and Barely Friends feature tragic lyrics that somehow radiate warmth and lull you into a state of comfort. DRAMA combines the pain inherent in their lyrics and couples it with the gentle energy of their drums and synths, making Gallows a home for lovers in anguish. Via Rosa describes Gallows as “a DRAMAtic soundtrack for anyone and everyone who has ever felt like the only way to get through pain is to see crack a joke, see the humor and keep it moving.”
If you’re in Chicago, don’t miss out on the chance to see DRAMA perform at Chop Shop on the 22nd. If you can’t make it, just embrace the tunes and listen below.