Sola Rosa’s New Chapter with ‘In The Mids’
A Vibrant Musical Journey
After diving deep into the vibrant world of music, New Zealand producer-artist Sola Rosa has unveiled his latest album, ‘In The Mids’. With over 65 million streams, Sola Rosa has established himself as a formidable force in the music scene, collaborating with notable artists like Tall Black Guy, DJ Vadim, and Hermitude. He has graced stages at world-renowned festivals such as the Secret Garden Party in the UK, WOMAD in New Zealand, and Green Man Festival, showcasing his diverse range and captivating performances.
A New Creative Process
The inspiration for ‘In The Mids’ struck during the tumultuous periods of New Zealand’s lockdowns. Embracing the creative chaos, Sola Rosa adopted a refreshing ethos: crafting a new beat every single day without the fear of judgment. This liberating approach made its way into the fabric of the album, transforming the way he composed music. As the project took shape, he spent time collaborating in studios across Melbourne and Auckland, further enriching the soundscape he aimed to create.
Collaborations that Ignite Passion
The album features a dynamic roster of collaborators including Iva Lamkum, Muroki, BRŪDE, Akosia, Blush’ko, Wallace, and Wilson Blackley, each bringing their unique flair to the project. This eclectic mix showcases Sola Rosa’s commitment to innovation and experimentation within his music.
The Evolution of Sound
Sola Rosa reflects on his creative journey for this album: “This album began like all my others – I’d make a bunch of beats and see what stuck.” Initially, he struggled with a rigid perspective focused on a live band setup, which hindered his creative flow. A pivotal moment came when he stumbled upon a video by producer Decap, advocating for the joy of unrestricted creativity. Inspired, Sola Rosa began making beats daily, leading to an outpouring of unexpected musical ideas.
“This experimentation allowed me to reshape my vision,” Sola Rosa shares. The result is an album rich with dance-floor-friendly heavy grooves, layered synths, and strong vocal contributions that meld seamlessly together. He emphasizes that while some familiar elements remain, ‘In The Mids’ differs by being more about his production style rather than adhering strictly to a live-band structure.
Influences that Shape the Sound
To further understand the alchemy behind ‘In The Mids’, Sola Rosa highlights five crucial records that inspired him during the making of the album:
1. The Kount & Kaelin Ellis – ‘Vignette’
Sola Rosa expresses deep admiration for The Kount, noting how his organic yet powerful production was pivotal during the creation of his album. He finds the collaboration with Kaelin Ellis to be a dynamic power duo that perfectly complements his musical vision.
2. SiR – ‘November’
Sola Rosa describes this record as “pure, hot, buttered, syrupy modern soul” paired with intelligent hip-hop production. The smooth interplay of these elements significantly influenced the sound he pursued in his own work.
3. BLK ODYSSY – ‘Diamonds & Freaks’
This album resonated deeply with Sola Rosa, serving as a genius model of rich textures and superior instrumentation. He identifies its production as a modern evolution of the P-Funk legacy, pushing him to elevate his own game.
4. Labrinth – ‘Ends & Begins’
Recommended by fellow artist Blush’ko, Labrinth’s production left Sola Rosa “blown away.” The sheer creativity and boldness showcased in the album ignited a flame of inspiration within him.
5. The Goods – ‘II’
Recognizing The Goods as one of the most understated groups in the music industry, Sola Rosa admires their intelligent take on dance and soul music. Their grooves became a catalyst that drew him towards the more dance-centric moments on ‘In The Mids’.
By intricately weaving these influences together, Sola Rosa crafts an album that reflects both his artistic growth and the evolving nature of modern music. It marks not only a new chapter in his career but also a tribute to the creative processes shaped by challenges and inspirations along the way.
