The latest track to emerge from Layla’s upcoming album ‘Lovers Don’t Meet’ (out 7th August 2020) is lush and mellifluous of sound, and arrives with an affecting video fit for our times.
Rooted in a timeless Americana sound, “As I Am” is rich with cooing harmonies, yawning pedal steels and sleepy acoustic arrangements. Though shaded with melancholy by Layla’s moving and emotive vocal, “As I Am” is very much a love song straight and true. Inspired by the works of Syrian poet Nizar Qabbani, Layla reaches deep within to summon lyrics that will touch the heart and nourish the soul.
“The song lyrically speaks for itself.” Layla says. “”Broken as I am can you really love me”? There are some lyric references to Nizar Qabbani (Syrian poet). “Your love is like birth, like death…impossible to repeat”. I’ve always loved this line and wanted to put it into a song. The melody is more modal over that line, to give it that spiritual, otherworldly feel.”
