Aisha Badru provides a space for others to heal with ‘The Sun Still Rises’

Recommended Tracks: “A Little Mad,” “Side of the Moon,” “Finding Our Way”
Artists You Might Like: ROSIE, Sasha Alex Sloan, Gabriela Bee

In the six years since singer-songwriter Aisha Badru released her debut album, Pendulum, much has changed. At the time, she had a lot to say, but there was some hesitation behind her words. She has evolved, however, into an artist who is very sure of the music she releases. While her projects are still shared in a modest way, her monthly listeners – consisting of over 430K on Spotify alone – connect with the truths she reveals through her music. Her new album, The Sun Still Rises, continues to expose these truths while also doing their part to cleanse the soul. In the end, it inspires fans to move through life with intention and certainty, knowing that their truths are worth sharing.

The album opens with “A Little Mad,” an observational piano ballad that speaks to the constrictive nature of society. Over the subdued chords, she sings, “Wake up in the morning to do work we don’t want to do / Do it anyway so we won’t be late when rent is due” and “Reality is altered, nervous system overwhelmed / Afraid to be forgotten, addicted to our phones / Yet, the more we are connected, the more that we feel alone,” exposing some painfully true actualities. Yet, the song serves as a reminder that we are not going through our struggles by ourselves; we all could use a change. Aisha, in fact, does just that on the title track. The warm guitar evokes the feeling of stepping into the morning light, with the sun’s rays cascading all around you. Meanwhile, Aisha touches on the importance of perseverance, telling herself, “I thought I’d fall apart for you / But if the sun still rises, then I will too.” She knows that life has its ups and downs, but it is important to not let the downs get in the way of the ups. She describes this on “Thankful to Be Here,” an acoustic-based track about gratitude. Throughout the track, Aisha reflects on her journey, singing, “Thankful for the tears / The lessons collected throughout the years / When all is said and done, I’m thankful to be here.” Life will not always be a smooth ride, but if you can appreciate all you have been through, the journey becomes more worthwhile.

While most of the album focuses on these outward observations and reflections, there are songs that also touch on Aisha’s own story. On “In the Making,” she opens up about her ongoing evolution. She knows that her unpredictability and constant state of change could be frustrating for some, but she is quick to acknowledge that these are wonderful characteristics to possess. There is also “Boundaries,” a mellow acoustic track that prioritizes mental health. She paints an inviting scene in the beginning with lines like, “I’d rather be alone / Spend the weekend at home / Turn off my phone / Light some sage, run a bath / Make some tea and relax / Silence at last.” From there, she focuses on the beauty of establishing boundaries and making time for yourself. Essentially, any quiet time that arises throughout the day is not to be overlooked.

Aisha is more than a gifted singer-songwriter on this album – she is your closest friend, a wise older sister, a supportive cousin. She makes you feel comforted, someone who will help pick you up when you are down. On songs like “Life to Live,” she tells listeners to break the rules and live life to the fullest, singing, “Run off the beaten path / Smell every single rose / Don’t you be afraid.” With other tracks like “Side of the Moon” and “Tunnel Vision,” Aisha serves as a light in the dark. She reminds us to keep going with lines like “You are here / You have a purpose / Your heart is hurting / But it will be worth it” on the former and “Now, I’m not saying it will be easy / But you won’t always feel that way” on the latter, implying that our darkest moments do not need to hold us down. We all know that nobody is perfect, and on “Finding Our Way,” she wants listeners to accept this concept. Over the percussive indie folk production, Aisha sings, “You don’t have to be perfect / That’s what the journey is for / We are all finding our way / The best way we know how,” allowing listeners to give themselves some credit.

With the instrumental track “The Calm,” the album comes to a close. It serves as a fitting conclusion, allowing those who listened to take in and process all that was shared on these songs. Here, Aisha is making her mark as an artist and as someone to listen to in regard to wellness and health, which she never really thought she would accomplish. She previously shared, “I’ve always sort of felt torn between wanting to be someone who is very much a singer-songwriter and being recognized in the wellness space.” With the vast-sounding productions, the warmth of the melodies, and her encouraging lyrics, she is at a place where she can allow others to heal. She continues, “Yes, I’m an artist, but I’m very intentional about the music that I release: that it is medicinal, that it can soothe emotions. This album encapsulates the entirety of my growth.”