Self-titled, the debut album by Melbourne-based singer-songwriter ALETHIA is a collection of songs exploring the essence of life and its varied experiences. If you ask the Colombian-born artist, just like any other person, she will tell you she’s had some ups and downs. This album delves into her personal journey.

ALETHIA is divided into 4 chapters, each representing a specific theme and music style. Sung in Spanish, the first three tracks find the artist embracing her heritage, and are grouped to form the Roots chapter. Starting off the album is “Almita mia”, which is a Latin-pop song dedicated to her mother. It’s filled with sounds from nature and has a smooth, calming feel.

“De Tu Mano”, a gentle and folksy song with dreamy soundscape, delightfully explores that kind of love that encourages personal evolution. Closing the Roots chapter is “Monedero”, an indie-leaning track on which ALETHIA doubles down on the topic of love.

The next three songs borrow influences from reggae and R&B, and make up the chapter called Nostalgia. “To You” is a reggae-flavoured song about a well-established relationship that is beginning to crumble. The track’s emotive harmonies give it an overwhelmingly moody feel. “Utopia” carries beautiful keys and light horns. ALETHIA’s rhythmic delivery feels like an intimate conversation. Things lighten up on the jazzy R&B-inflected “Once More”.

The Love chapter encompasses two drum n’ bass-influenced electro pop tracks delving into the need for trust and self-love. With “Don’t Let Me Down”, the songwriter penned a sultry love letter to herself, recognizing that self-love is the foundation of any other form of connection, something that is explored further on “Physical Form”.

Being the songs closing the album, “Falling” and “Oh Darling” are all about Hope for the future. They are presented in the form of psychedelic rock tunes, and are quite catchy. In its whole, the album feels like a shared experience.

The singer remarked: “We are all like butterflies emerging from cocoons. Life gifts us with diverse experiences that gradually reveal our true selves. Along the way, we encounter souls who reflect our light or shadows, guiding us toward healing and our authentic essence. It’s a metamorphosis into a unique being with a singular purpose and reason for existence. This journey, though challenging, ultimately connects us with our essence and our true language, love.“

As you stream ALETHIA below via Spotify, be sure to follow the artist on Instagram.

This review was made possible by SubmitHub