R&B and neo-soul musician, Cindy Zhang is gets introspective and stoic with her latest single “Song for Rainy Days”. As the title track for her new album, it touts pristine production accompanied by honest vulnerability that will melt your troubles away.
Though there is a melancholy tint to the instrumentation, it’s a love song that patiently waits for the storm to pass. “If I could save the memories for rainy days when skies are crying” she sings dreamily through the chorus, “I would take them out and dry my tears with you”. You can feel the lingering pain of lost love, but not without possibility of something new. Specifically, Zhang seems keen on sharing these experiences (and making new ones) with a new special someone.
Musically, Zhang hits all the right notes to convey the simultaneous hope and heaviness needed for this complex mix of emotions. It’s full of atmospheric effects that allow us to feel the gravity of the rain, the gentle synthesizers and drums always hold onto the mellow groove that is immediately relaxing. It may be raining, but the promise of future sunshine keeps blues subdued while allowing Zhang’s sultry vocals to shine brightly.
For fans of Lianne La Havas, Mac Ayres, H.E.R., and Sarah King, this song is right up your alley. It’s tender and emotional without being too much. There’s a sense of magic to the song’s restraint and level-headedness that feels grounding. Beneath a thick skin built up by bad memories, dreams and hope lay dormant and ready to bud.
“Song for Rainy Days” is available now on major streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.
Charlie Maybee is a dancer, musician, educator, and writer based in Charleston, South Carolina who currently teaches with the Dance Program at the College of Charleston. His primary work as an artist is with his performing collective, Polymath Performance Project, through which he makes interdisciplinary performance art that centers tap dance as the primary medium of expression and research. He also currently plays rhythm guitar for the Charleston-based punk band, Anergy, and releases music as a solo artist under the name Nox Eterna.
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Alchemical Records is a Washington, D.C. based music publication. We cover the Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Richmond, VA metro area music scenes, including band interviews, articles about your favorite musicians, new music and concert dates.
