Philadelphia rock band Soraia has announced a October 28 release date for 'Bloom,' the act's third studio album with Stevie Van Zandt's Wicked Cool Records. Coming off the massive chart success of the 2021 single "Tight Lipped" and 2020 breakthrough album 'Dig Your Roots, the deeply personal new album finds the band covering new ground both sonically and lyrically.
“Ultimately, our new album is about rising above all of the slights, injuries, and traumas we’ve all experienced - personally and together - and positioning ourselves into a new place we’ve chosen. A place with renewed courage and vitality. We realize we are all deserving of a life driven by our choices and power,” affirms ZouZou Mansour, lead singer and lyricist for Soraia.
Of the new song, Mansour explains, "The original idea behind ‘I Seek Fire’ came from reading a Rumi quote: "Set your life on fire. Seek those who fan your flames." A mix of that personal desire plus a healthy dose of romantic and tragic love ideas floating through my head created the backdrop for the lyrical story of the song. As soon as I heard the cutting, staccato riff co-writer Travis Smith played for me, I knew I had to capture that exquisite contradiction: enthralling, obsessive passion usually comes with that tragic cut. The music brought the lyrics to life in this one more than most other songs we've written together."
Anyone who’s overcome mental, physical, emotional, or spiritual barriers will relate deeply to Bloom, Soraia's upcoming ten-song collection, 'Bloom.'
Soraia’s third studio album with Wicked Cool Records showcases tragic romance, awakened passion, fiery desire, and lost identity - yet is ultimately filled with their consistent foreboding of hope. These themes - combined with the band’s signature hard rocking, motivating sound - create a unique listening experience. 'Bloom' inevitably empowers the listener to make the change they choose– it advocates speaking your truth and living your life - consequences be damned.
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'Bloom' builds on the themes established throughout the band’s career. Their first studio album 'Dead Reckoning' (2017) featured songs defining where they stood from the viewpoint of where they’d been. 2020’s 'Dig Your Roots' was all about accepting who and what they are, and 'Bloom' – the third in the series – is about letting go of all these things and finding that new place: musically, as a group, and as individuals. If 2020 taught us anything—it is how to unapologetically stand up proudly for who and what we are.
The LP begins with the hard rock we’ve all come to expect of the band. As David Fricke, formerly of Rolling Stone Magazine claims, ”Searing guitars, burning soul, and true CBGB grit: Soraia are the rock you need in your face now” and they have not changed their step here. The album opens ferociously with an emblazoned “YEAH!” in “Jokers, Thieves, and Liars” and doesn’t let up through Side B.
Though the album focuses on hard-driving melodies, the band passionately explores new territory in some tender moments. ‘Jackson’s Song’ – a surprisingly simple song yet beautifully tragic love story between two bikers - is a vulnerable spot on the album. It’s one partner’s confession of her changing emotions and personhood that ends in a solid moment fated by twisted loyalty. Another anthemic song is the soul-defining and very personal ‘Mephistopheles’ which closes the record. A claim on current culture mirrored in an intimately personal experience, Mephistopheles himself is a charmer – both wildly alluring and utterly deadly. The song’s highlight is the dark angelic backgrounds in the final chorus—a statement that visually brings to mind Dante’s Inferno. ’’Mephistopheles’ is about a real experience and holds its place at the end of our record for a reason….” affirms ZouZou Mansour, lead singer and lyricist for Soraia.
With every release, Soraia continues to gain experience, momentum, and strength. They have garnered the attention of many soulful rock legends in the music business, including Jon Bon Jovi, Steven Van Zandt, and Joan Jett. The core band features ZouZou Mansour (lead vocals), Travis Smith (bass), and Brianna Sig (drums). Together, they have unmatched chemistry and passion for the music they play.
Soraia does what they do best on 'Bloom': shine and reflect through personal stories a universal identity we all share. Their songs promise life after loss, and survival that is both fragile and tough.
'Bloom' is the promise of redemption, newfound passion, and dark warriorhood. The black lotus rising from the mud that blooms into the most beautiful flower: it blossoms from its sin, scars, and final survival—a spirit brimming with strength. What has kept these warriors together through thick and thin is that bond. That darkness. That hope: To grow together.
Catch Soraia opening for Joan Jett in September and on their upcoming fall tours with Josie Cotton and Hayley and the Crushers. See dates below.
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Josie Cotton + Soraia Tour 9/13-9/17
9/13 San Diego, CA // The Casbah
9/14 Los Angeles, CA // The Redwood Bar
9/15 Palmdale, CA // Transplant Brewing
9/16 Reno, NV // Virginia Street Brewhouse
9/17 San Francisco, CA // Bottom of the Hill
Joan Jett + Soraia Dates
9/22 Shipshewana, IN // Blue Gate Performing Arts Center
9/24 Wisconsin Dells, WI // Crystal Grand Music Theater
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Soraia + Hayley and The Crushers Tour 9/25-10/8
9/25 Chicago, IL // Reggies 'The Music Joint'
9/27 Toledo, OH // Ottawa Tavern
9/28 Cleveland, OH // Hatfield's
9/30 Youngstown, OH // West Side Bowl
10/1 Columbus, OH // The Spacebar
10/4 Nashville, TN // The Basement
10/7 Hamtramck, MI // Small's
10/8 Grand Rapids, MI // Tip Top Deluxe Bar
+++++
10/15 Indianapolis, IN // Melody Inn
10/31 Providence, RI // Dusk
11/2 New Haven, CT // Cafe Nine
11/4 New York City, NY // Berlin Under A
11/5 Philadelphia, PA // Milkboy ('Bloom' Release Show)
11/26 Phoenixville, PA // Colonial Theater (acoustic)
Lazlo, founder of BlowUpRadio.com (an online radio station based around New Jersey artists), shines a light on some of the many new releases from NJ based musicians each week with this column. This week Lazlo takes a look at new releases by The Extensions, Psychic Wars, Synaptic Ooze, James William Eccles, and Southpaw. Plus a look back at "Are We Truly Great Again?" by Laree Cisco.
Michael Patrick is a Americana singer-songwriter who has played well over 2,000 live shows in the tri-state area, released six albums from 2004's Roots & Branches to 2023's Crossing Bridges, and created popular shows like his Johnny Cash "Ring of Fire" tribute. A few years ago, he moved to the Hunterdon County area. Halfway through 2023, Michael made an even bigger life decision - he decided to leave his full-time job and play music full-time.
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents Robyn Hitchcock on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at First Congregational Church of Montclair. Imogen Clark will open the night. Doors are at 7:30pm, showtime is 8:00pm.
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![Soraia to Release "Bloom" via Wicked Cool Records](https://www.newjerseystage.com/events2022/Bloom.jpg "Soraia to Release "Bloom" via Wicked Cool Records")
