I Am Roze Details Their Experiences On Debut EP 'I Am Not Emotional'

23-year-old I Am Roze is someone who has had to preserve through the most difficult and challenging of times. Their home was destroyed by Hurricane Laura but through their music they have shown that the beauty can be born from tragedy. In the aftermath they worked with Fred Again on a series of releases that included Forgive’ & ‘Euston Station’ due to being found on social media.

"When you come from where I come from, and this is all you’ve ever wanted to do, you show up to deliver" says Roze. "Complaining is for people with money, and I’ve got money to be made…I don’t have time to complain".

I’m Not Emotional released via LAB records is the Louisiana born songwriter's enchanting solo debut project. Heartfelt, honest and compellingly sincere the opening track of the ep ‘Definition Of Happy’ embodies the mood and tonality of the entire 6 track body of work.

Roze acknowledges their flaws and therefore embraces their humanity as they reject rigid social expectations and demands in favour of finding freedom, and therefore momentarily happiness which they express against a naked piano stripped back production, and percussion instrumentation backing.

Written with the help of Nitin Sawhne, the pair previously worked together last year on Sawhney’s Identity album. And also performed the track on Later….with Jools Holland.

Transitioning into the soulful ‘Someone who cares’ you hear the sounds of rifts played by acoustic guitar lulling you into a sense of contentment as Roze pens a charismatic song about protecting one’s peace and avoiding other people’s messes.

Demonstrating they enchanting storytelling ability, they sing “If you got a problem take it up with your momma, I don’t have patience for drama/ Your nonsense aint part of my dharma / if you have a problem take it up with your daddy, better yet go call your grammy/ if you think they have all the answers."

On the pop-soul ballad ‘Who I am’ featuring Brye, the pair find self-acceptance and love with their own image of themselves. Brye’s bright voice a nice contrast against Roze’s melancholic tone.

Whilst ‘Hate Me’ is artfully arranged softly played gituar notes and gentle sampled harmonies together before the gradual introduction of emotionally charged violins craft the mood of stillness.

Which is reflected in the mood of Roze who expresses the desire to find a resemblance of inner peace as they battle with the persistent chimp in their head.

‘Nature’ is sweetly sung by Roze with a careful tenderness as they yearn for the simplicity of nature and it’s purity rather than the complexity of everyday life.

“I'm Not Emotional is me detailing my human experience” explains Roze. “I want people to feel the emotions they've been hiding from, because you have to eventually”.

The ep comes to a close and Roze and their world slows on the title track ‘I’m Not Emotional’. We witness them explore themes of mental health with more depth with utter transparency, and Roze styles with languid smooth vocals.

It’s a project that teaches us to learn into what we’re feeling, and also find the time to sit with it. Roza engages with their own human experience, peeling back the skin to see the flaws, and it’s why the project resonates.

Listen here