From the garden city of Tel Aviv in Israel comes singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, composer and record producer Lital Hagayan. A stalwart of the shoegaze and dreampop scene over the last couple of years she has treated our ears to a series of sumptuous singles. Always with the dreamiest production and deeply emotional lyrics, her music has touched countless fans hearts and gained her a loyal following. Now she is ready to release her debut album, Singularity, and I’ve been lucky enough to have been given a very early peek at the album. Before we explore the songs in here, I asked Lital what the overall theme of Singularity is.
“The album was created in a very unplanned way. The first song of the album, Eternity, was written after a relatively long period in which I did not create music. And I wrote this song out of a very deep pain, I would say heartbreak, but it was much more than a heartbreak. It’s hard for me to go into details. I had an experience of a loss. A partner that I loved to the core, lost himself in the mental sense of the word. It was a long process that left me with quite a few traumas. The album actually describes my dealing with life in the first year without him, while he is in hospitals, etc. Even the order of the songs on the album is arranged chronologically, it’s really a journey album. I think anyone would be able to notice the process I went through this year while listening to the album. The album also describes the stages of heartbreak, anger, faith, hope, disappointment. At that time, I started listening to a lot of shoegaze music, dream pop, synth wave, and yes these are some of the musical influences on the album.“
This album deals with an incredibly painful time in Hagayan’s life, telling the story through her music. Let’s turn to the first page and begin.
The album opens with ‘Eternity’. From the opening notes, ‘Eternity’ captivates with its hauntingly beautiful melody. Hagayan’s ethereal vocals glide effortlessly, drawing you into a dreamlike realm where every word feels like a delicate brushstroke on a canvas of emotions. The song’s atmospheric instrumentation adds a touch of magic, creating an enchanting soundscape that feels both intimate and expansive. The pain she described earlier is almost tangible. This is going to be an emotional ride.
From the very first note, ‘Waiting’ sets a contemplative and introspective mood. The haunting vocals immediately draw you into the emotional centre of the song. The stripped-down and intimate instrumentation allows her voice to take centre stage, creating an immersive experience that feels like a personal conversation with the Hagayan. The song’s themes of longing and patience resonate with anyone who has experienced the complexities of love and relationships.
‘Monsters in Your Head’ explores the struggles of inner demons and the battles we face within ourselves. Hagayan’s poetic storytelling paints a vivid picture of the complexities of the human mind, where darkness and light intertwine in a delicate dance. The raw vulnerability in her delivery makes the song feel deeply personal, as if she is baring her soul to the listener. On this track she says “this song that speaks about the paranoia he had about me in his head, the paranoia I called his Monsters”.
‘You Are My’ immediately sets a tender and affectionate mood. Hagayan’s gentle and soulful vocals wrap around you like a comforting embrace, creating an atmosphere of intimacy and love. The subtle instrumentation complements the song’s heartfelt sentiment, allowing the purity of the emotions to shine through. Lyrically, ‘You Are My’ is a beautiful declaration of love and devotion. Her heartfelt words paint a vivid picture of deep affection and connection, the very essence of being utterly enamoured by someone. The sincerity in her delivery makes the song feel wholly personal.
‘Like I Remember You’ is a poignant vignette of memories and the passing of time. Hagayan’s words paint vivid images of cherished moments and the ache of missing someone. From the very first chord, ‘Like I Remember You’ transports you to a world of reminiscence and longing. The tender and lilting vocals instantly draw you in, infusing the song with a sense of vulnerability and intimacy. ‘Like I Remember You’ is a musical time capsule that holds the essence of cherished memories and reminds us of the import of nostalgia.
Hagayan’s cover version of ‘Songbird’ is a stunning and soulful rendition that pays homage to the timeless Fleetwood Mac classic while infusing it with her own unique charm and emotive artistry. This cover showcases her exceptional talent as a vocalist, capturing the essence of the song’s beauty and vulnerability in a way that is both heartfelt and captivating.
At this halfway point let’s pause for a moment. I also asked Hagayan about how this album was recorded.
“Everyone who played on the album, without exception they are all talented and brilliant musicians one and all. This album beyond refuge was also an abnormal experience. I had some very good colleagues and friends who took part in this album, with the drums and bass, and also more guitars recorded by not only me, in one song a good friend of mine jammed on the keys and I arranged the midi notes afterwards, one studio colleague also played some piano in the song Eternity which also was kind of a jam on the song which I arranged afterwards. I mixed the tracks, but my talented studio partner collaborated, which was the best thing I could have! The mastering was sent to one of the best mastering technicians in Israel, which I’m also very satisfied with. Back then, at these times I worked in a big studio and I also rented a little acoustic room that I mixed in the album with my colleague who shared with me that room. Almost every day when I finished my work day, let’s say at around 9-10pm, I stayed in the studio into the night to create and work on my music. It was my refuge, it was my anchor, and it helped me survive my grief.”
‘When Words Been Said’ opens gently with a lightly plucked acoustic with dreamy synth pads providing the atmosphere. Hagayan’s lush vocal reverberates over it all. The song is incredibly dynamic with lots of changes in the arrangement as we go on. As a listener it really keeps you on your toes with its false stops and when those drums kick in, wow! She has a real ear for a melody, you’ll be humming this one to yourself for days. As always, her lyrical style is very much heartfelt and on her sleeve.
‘Stay’ is a mesmerizing and emotionally charged track. The ethereal and emotive vocals immediately draw you into the emotional journey of the song. It’s a deep dive into love, longing, and the fear of losing someone dear. The heartfelt words paint a vivid picture of the complexities of relationships, capturing the beauty and fragility of human connection.
The instrumentation of ‘See Me See You’ is delicate and evocative, drawing listeners in with its warm and inviting sounds. The gentle strumming of the acoustic guitar sets the foundation for the song, creating a sense of intimacy and vulnerability. This track is an exploration of understanding and being understood. ‘See Me See You’ reminds us of the power of empathy and the beauty of genuine human connection.
Next up is ‘Alone’. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill love song; it’s a raw and vulnerable confession that is genuinely personal. It’s a revelation of the intricacies of solitude and self-discovery. Hagayan’s heartfelt words convey an authentic vulnerability, like a personal diary entry shared with a dear confidant. It feels like the end of a journey in some aspects.
As if to put a full stop on the experience we finally come to ‘Miss You’. Hagayan’s heartfelt words unveil the complexities of solitude and the beauty found within it. The simplicity of the music speaks volumes, leaving space for the emotions to take centre stage. This track is an absolute treat for the ears in headphones. The ethereal production envelopes you and you lose yourself. Just the most perfect way to close off this musical journey we’ve been on.
In Singularity Lital Hagayan has created some of the most honest and heartfelt songs it’s ever been my pleasure to review. You have to keep reminding yourself that she wrote, recorded, mixed and produced this album largely by herself. It’s an incredible achievement and one that should serve as an inspiration to budding solo artists everywhere. Grief has the power to drive us into the ground and prevent us from engaging with the world. What Lital has chosen to do is to taker her grief and channel it through her creativity. Through this emotional catharsis we now have Singularity. Through her courage we all now have somewhere to turn when our grief threatens to swallow us. Isn’t that most amazing achievement of them all.
Singularity is available to pre order now from the Lital Hagayan Bandcamp page.
You can follow Lital Hagayan on social media here….
Photo credits
Daniel Gan-Or Alon Levin Ohad Elimelech
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