The Strength of ‘the mornings’

I am searching for words strong enough to express how I feel about sahn‘s debut album ‘the mornings’. Beautiful, touching, glorious, triumphant, are acceptable descriptors for the body of work itself. The day she announced the album I knew I would enjoy it. The meeting I was attending became secondary to soaking up the Reel and putting my phone to my ear to hear her words. I needed no further convincing and decided to be seated and present for every part of this experience. The strength of ‘the mornings’ lies in sahn laying her heart out, rooted in vulnerability. This is a feat that requires introspection and investigation of oneself.

sahn, artist name of Simone Ledward Boseman, takes us on a journey of healing and spiritual growth that came from love persisting in grief. There is warmth and melancholy, a balance of hope and aching. Recognition of how life has changed, how it has changed you, and how you will move forward. Hearing from an artist’s elevated self inspires the listener to nurture their higher self and face what is weighing heavily on them. This is difficult work but ultimately worth it as one learns what the other side has to offer.

Below are my favorite lines and how the 9 track EP speaks to me. I guarantee that it has a beautiful message for you too.

chad’s prayer by dontae winslow
Beginning with a sonic ascension. The instrumental invokes a sunrise, steadily climbing from the opening and building before it soars at the end. Portraying solemnity and peace.

angelsxdemons
“the way your life will go / depends on what you follow / who do you trust in? / who you listening to?“
The album’s lead single is the song that tapped me on the shoulder for showcase, it’s sultry and slinky. A beautiful, boundless, and timely personal growth anthem perfect for my current journey. I’m identifying the fears and working towards being better or bigger.

wake up, my love (a lullaby)
“the day begins when you arise/ but if asleep is where you’ll stay / while I remain…“
A strings backed lullaby written two months following her husband Chadwick’s passing, feels like a soft lament. Tenderness and longing accompany a prayer for safe passage. Brings to the surface the gratitude I now feel for the sunshine the day we laid my maternal grandmother to rest 21 years ago.

the mornings
“spirit says you either jump / or live life on the shallow end”
The title track’s singular, steady drum beat is perfection, if you know you know. It grounds feelings of being off balance in a new reality and learning to function in it. Keep trying until the weight becomes something you can move with instead of just under. Go deep into yourself and see who you become.

high speed meditation
“i can’t meet you where you are / because i won’t go back / dig a little deeper / where you goin’ / starts with where you at“
The higher self is checking in, we won’t be backsliding. Old patterns no longer serve us, they don’t fit. The space I’m currently in is exactly where I need to be. Surrender to change and allow yourself to grow and expand. sahn’s smooth and confident flow will be perfect for when I need a boost.

better with you
“you probably lived a thousand lives before now / wish i coulda learned everything that i know now before now / somethings you can’t allow if you wanna stay on the path / count your numbers check your math”
“take my hand and i’ll follow where you lead me / no demands I would work all day for free / don’t miss understand my sentiment / plenty other things i could do / but I like it better with you”
Had to pull two lines because this is my jam, a sensual and buttery love song. I could be anywhere in the world, doing anything but your presence makes everything sweeter. I long for this feeling in my life, to have someone elicit this desire. Gives me something to look forward to in the future. I could wrap myself up in this track.

gracenotes
“prayed at the altar / said all my graces / faith never faltered / outlook is changing”
Take care with yourself, extend yourself grace when the work is dragging you by your last follicle. It’s exhausting facing yourself and learning new ways of being, take your time and keep at it. The view of yourself and the world around you changes, you’re becoming better equipped to deal with life and your place in it. 

strong friends (live from the backyard)
“gone end up burned out / by the fire that keeps you warm / rain shoulda washed you clean / now you’re freezing in the storm / and the struggles that’s meant to shape you / they damn near gone break you“
I may be one of the strong friends, often keeping things to myself to not burden my circle. The chorus invokes sahn’s husband’s poignant 2018 Howard University commencement speech and builds on it, acknowledging how some of our struggles are not meant to be carried alone. Life requires community, existing on this spinning rock is unnecessarily difficult. Keep your village close and uplifted.

green tea
“but see I know that I know what I know / and when I get to where the spirits go / I’m looking for you”
The closing track has captured my heart, it won’t turn me loose and I have no desire to be freed. There is familiarity, that longing and ache when you’ve lost someone who is a major part of your world reminds me of one of my closest friends. She has spent the past year adjusting to what life will be after laying her daughter to rest. I had to share this song with her. I want to thank sahn, Simone, for sharing so many things that have equipped me to be a support for my friend. This is a blessing.

The intention and care in this musical offering is abundant. Love continuing, showing up in new ways, the warm embrace and safety of friends and collaborators, and a creator’s vision produced this gift. There’s so much packed into 9 tracks, not overwhelming but all-encompassing. Her pen is full, her voice is rich. Make sure to experience the album, accompanying visuals and follow sahn’s directive, #dontshufflemyshit.