Aisha Badru | 5 tracks that influenced ‘The Sun Still Rises’

Aisha Badru has released her new album ‘The Sun Still Rises’.

Speaking of her album, she said: “I’ve always sort of felt torn between wanting to be someone who is very much a singer-songwriter and being recognised in the wellness space. Yes, I’m an artist but I’m very intentional about the music that I release: that it is medicinal, that it can soothe emotions. This album encapsulates the entirety of my growth.”

To celebrate her album release, Aisha shared with us 5 tracks that influenced ‘The Sun Still Rises’.

Fleetwood Mac – Landslide
I’ve always loved this song for the way it evokes nostalgia and makes you reflect on the passing of time. My songs ‘Thankful to Be Here’ and ‘In the Making’ both capture this theme of reflecting on the arc of one’s life and embracing the ever-changing present moment. Turning thirty made me pause and take stock of everything that has transpired over the years, and I think you can hear that growth and appreciation in these tracks

Rising Appalachia – Harmonize
I love how Rising Appalachia’s music focuses on deepening our connection with ourselves as well as deepening our connection with nature; I often highlight this parallel in my music as well. The down-to-earth sentiments they express in their lyrics come as a breath of fresh air in a hyper-materialistic society. This is one of my favorite songs of theirs that makes me feel supported and uplifted whenever I listen.

Joy Oladokun – Look Up
I appreciate this song’s focus on mental health. The way Joy Oladokun articulates her message is not only beautiful but also incredibly relatable and much-needed in the world. Similarly, I write with the intention and hope that my music will uplift those who listen because I know how powerful words can be. Songs like this can be the reason someone continues their journey on this earth.

Justin Wade Tam & Jamie Drake – Calm Yourself Down
I remember there was a period when I would listen to this song on repeat whenever I had to drive a long distance on the highway. There is something very effective about listening to calming music that takes you to a quiet place in your mind even when the outside world is loud and chaotic. I hope my music can be that place of quiet for people, and that songs on my album such as ‘Boundaries’ help them feel comfortable with the decision to distance themselves from the noise when they need to.

Beautiful Chorus – Faith’s Hymn
I’m really passionate about finding ways to calm the nervous system, and Beautiful Chorus does this so skillfully with their music. For my album, I knew I wanted to include a song that was less about the words and more about the feeling and resonance of sound. ‘The Calm’ was created with a producer who specializes in sound healing, and I hoped that placing this instrumental track at the end of the album would give my listeners the space to simply ‘be,’ without the influence of lyrics or storytelling.

Listen to Aisha Badru’s music influences:

Stream Aisha Badru ‘The Sun Still Rises’ via Spotify: