On any type of Los Angeles day or evening, you can find Taylor Morse on different stages skillfully plucking away at her ukelele, listen to Liz McTague hypnotize the crowd with powerful sounds, or enjoy a saucy turnup with Folayan, one-half of Flyana Boss. The three appear on a new lo-fi, neo-soul track called “Are You There?”, a song that vocalizes shared experiences of unrequited love.
The song came together organically, Taylor says they were all at the studio, kicking back and drinking when they started writing together. Robert Pöst Child and 13enjamin Jones provide a dreamy beat, filled with bounce to take listeners deep into a subtle anti-valentines day performance. The lyrics represent each artist engaging with their respective lovers, only to be met by someone who can’t, or won’t, reciprocate the same type of energy.
Taylor Morse immediately reminds us she has “no time for the bullshit” with her significant other, or on the mic. Her performance resonates with anyone who ends up feeling crazy for loving and not receiving any return on investment. Fresh off her most recent set at Love Joints in LA, Taylor ties together this collaborative song with an instantly catchy hook asking one single question, “Is anyone there?”. Despite the flesh and bones in front of her, it seems the lights are on but no one’s home. Throughout, the particular stoicism in her voice comforts the listener during the whole journey.
We’ve all experienced being an invested soul entangled with a checked-out lover, and Liz McTague brings this feeling to life on the second verse. If you haven’t heard of Liz yet, you surely will, as she is quickly gaining a following for her emotionally charged performances and vocals that shake you to the core. Placing herself in direct conversation, she pleads with her companion to provide some answers, “are you holding back? Well, I’ve been falling… are you with me?” Liz ends this segment by reminding us that only time will reveal the true reality of relationships, and while the feeling may never be mutual, she is here for it.
The final verse from Folayan displays her versatility in the booth. She is one-half of Flyana Boss, with Bobbi Lanea rounding out the high-energy duo that brings collected confidence to any track or stage. We’ve seen how turnt a Flyana Boss show gets, so it’s a refreshing surprise to hear Folayan on this soulful and introspective track. Here the listener finds her struggling to grasp some understanding of the situation. The “connection feels hazy” as Folayan wants to passionately embrace the being in front of her. Yet again, there are no answers and more confusion ensues.
Are we “delusional” for wishing to turn nothing into something with the people we have feelings for? Not at all, so three seriously talented women provide a song about the somber acceptance of the unknown we are doomed to experience in our daily relationships. When face-to-face with the people we love, often times all that’s left to say is… you got me fucked up…
This Valentine's day, “Are You There?” is on streaming platforms everywhere, and you can find all three artists’ social media pages below. Keep an eye out for Taylor Morse dropping more new music in March, as well as Liz McTague’s highly anticipated record “Mercy” dropping on March 4th. While you’re at it, go stream “Bossi” from Flyana Boss on Spotify and peep their next live show in Los Angeles at The Fox Hole on February 25th. You can also purchase a one of a kind piece made with hands of love from their loveLOVECreations collective.
Links:
Taylor Morse:
Liz McTague:
Folayan:
Robert Pöst Child:
13enjamin Jones:
Dreams Made Daily Music Group:
loveLOVECreations:
