LA-based alternative R&B/Soul/pop singer/songwriter/producer Naomi August caught our attention with her new project Daylight Moon. The 12-track body of work is an emotionally charged concept album that explores growth, self-exploration, pain and the never-ending roller coaster of navigating this modern landscape while searching for purpose and true love.

The project opens up with “The Weeknd,” an atmospheric sounding track with elements of future R&B with pop stylings. Here, Naomi delivers an expressive and soul-stirring performance brimming with candid lyrics that detail an escapade with a special someone far from the craziness of the concrete jungle. It sure sets the tone for the rest of the project with its unique take on themes of emotion and intimacy, and the scenic production and vocal arrangement are dynamic and engaging from start to finish. The next track, “Night & Day,” deals with yearning for her lover’s touch and the undeniable physical connection that exists and bonds them together. Over a sturdy groove, moody and dark pop textures, Naomi August takes us deep into her thoughts with raw imagery emboldened by sultry melodic runs. On “Galaxy,” she teams up with rapper Kon Boogie for a punchy experimental pop/R&B  infused with hip-hop elements, while “Under Your Spell” is a guitar-laden upbeat jam with pop-rock sensibilities. Both tracks showcase her versatility and knack for traversing different genres with ease.  “Waves” is bolstered by a heavy drum groove and retro-tinged textures that evoke the 80s Brit music invasion. The arrangement is dynamic, and Naomi August’s airy vocals run the gamut as it rises from soft to hypnotic across the track.

Thus far, production-wise, listeners will get a host of musical styles that underscore August’s unorthodox and nonconformist musical approach. Records like the modern bedroom pop “American Zen” exude raw nostalgia and heartfelt themes,  while the plucky future-R&B vibes on “Losing Sleep” punctuate the air with distorted vocal effects and sexy songwriting. “GWYW(Interlude)” is a snapshot of love as August stays committed to her lover while on “Dead Bodies,” she reflects on these feelings that continue to engulf her as she tries to create space in her head. The final track, “Fvck Your Feelings,” brings the project to a grand closing with its unapologetic songwriting and bass-driven production. The sparse arrangement serves as the perfect backdrop for August’s candid lyrics about betrayal, intimacy and vulnerability. She doesn’t mince her words and stands on business as she addresses the situationship she is in and comes to the realization that all bets are off. Other notable tracks include “Good Morning” and “Chasing Disaster,” a pair that takes listeners into new territories that combine lust, rushing adrenaline that comes with blossoming love, and the dramatic events that follow the rush. The latter is a smooth pop number with solemn textures, while the latter is an experimental piece with ominous pads and strings with downtempo grooves.

Overall, Daylight Moon is an enjoyable project with crests and troughs that follow the emotionally charged journey of a woman who is discovering herself in many ways.

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