Niia Walks Us Through Bobby Deerfield Track By Track
The Los Angeles singer/songwriter's new album is out today
Photo by Diego Vourakis
Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Niia evokes a once-in-a-blue-moon type of musical prowess. Her work is all-at-once thoughtful, sensual and hypnotizing—as she perfectly blends indie folk and chart-topping pop sensibilities. Her new project Bobby Deerfield is meticulous and brilliant in that way, and it conjures similar moods and intricacies that her album If I Should Die did two years ago. From lead single “Idk what to tell my friends,” it was immediately clear that this direction that Niia has taken is one that should vault her into an unparalleled stratosphere.
If the name Bobby Deerfield sounds familiar, that’s because it is. Inspired and titled after the 1974 Al Pacino film of the same name, Niia uses Formula 1 imagery and motifs to write about sexuality, family relationships and romance in ways that are richer and more complex within her catalog than ever before. The songs do not hinge themselves on buoyant, explosive pop melodies. Rather, they are reserved and patient, opting to achieve sonic climax through well-layered and subtle arrangements. To celebrate today’s release of Bobby Deerfield, Niia sat down with Paste and gave a breakdown of each track on the album. Listen to it as you go, and order your copy of the record here.
A Star for A Star
I’m too in love with this song. When all my fears and worries that cast a shadow over me that at times feel too heavy to swat away. I again look to nature for guidance, answers, or just strength to keep going. I drove one night and sat on the top of the car and looked at the stars.. That is where I wrote the lyrics. I wanted it to feel majestic and haunting in the same way the night sky lit up with stars makes me feel
Idk what to tell my friends
The title says it all. I don’t know what to tell my friends. I didn’t want to share bad news or even good news with them anymore. Realizing it hard, more to do with my sense of self and less about them in the end. “I had to go and find god” is a metaphor for finding my truth, as cliché as it sounds. Finding why I hate myself and dealing with it.
Night Ride
“Night Ride” is a play on words. An outward judgement or question to ask why don’t we have any fun anymore? Let’s go for a night ride, forget about the world outside. Perhaps I just want to have sex with the windows down while driving too fast…
Sick In My Mind
My attachment to lust and love. Talking about this subject on the same album that was so influenced by my father felt strange but also fitting. We’ve spent so much time sharing similar vices, desires and mistakes.
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