On The Change, London songstress Zein Simone delivers a beautiful blend of pop, folk, and soul sounds, rich uplifting vocals, and emotionally engaging lyrics that are light years beyond what one would expect from a self-released debut. Central to Zein’s magnetic appeal is her music-lover’s ear for eclectic styles as well as her talent for transcribing complicated emotions into compassionate and relatable lyrics. "My lyrics are raw, honest, and direct…not artsy poetry!" she explains. The Change was produced and co-written with Steve Wellington, of the British rock band Project X, and is available now through iTunes and CDBaby.
From first cut to last, The Change offers listeners a solid lineup of finely-crafted, haunting pop ballads coupled with rousing soul anthems. The title track "The Change" is a folky, Celtic-tinged ballad of lost love that brings to mind a hybrid of Kate Bush and Sinead O’Connor. Another standout is "Again," a downtempo, atmospheric song of regret and longing flavored with classical guitar. "I embrace most forms of music and my songs reflect this, weaving hip-hop, soul, Celtic and rock influences to create a sound that is distinctly British, distinctly me."
Raised by a Jamaican mother on a musical diet of jazz, blues and soul, and inured in youth theater from an early age, Zein Simone was training in classical voice by age 11 and singing lead vocals in a jazz band by the time she hit high school. Her developing musical taste reflected her life in the cultural hubbub of Central London — from Irish folk music to Baroque, reggae and Pearl Jam to Tricky. Zein has played extensively around London clubs and was a featured performer at the Griots Black Cultural Fest in October, 2005, in Hay-on-Wye, UK. She will be touring the UK and abroad in support of The Change, and is currently courting both major and independent labels with her sights set on recording a full-length, follow-up CD.
Zein Simone’s current collection is only the beginning. In it, love is her theme, life experience her guide.
