Dua Saleh - I SHOULD CALL THEM

The music of LA-based Sudanese-American artist Dua Saleh (they/them) explores the inner self and the world at large. Across three EPs since 2019, heralded by The New York Times ("commanding"), NPR ("visionary"), and Pitchfork ("ambitious and riveting") — Saleh has deftly fused and inverted genre conventions with a socially conscious style driven by melody, grit, and bravado. With their long-awaited full-length debut, a collection of R&B-infused electronic indie-pop songs titled I SHOULD CALL THEM, they portray the spiritual power, resilience, and joy of love. Equal parts imaginative and lived-through, it's a statement record only Saleh could make.

In 2023, they signed with Ghostly for the punk-leaning "daylight falls", returned to their breakout role in the Netflix series Sex Education, and took the cover of GAY TIMES as their Rising Star in Music honour recipient. Now squarely at the helm of their first LP — guests include Ambré, Gallant, serpentwithfeet, and Sid Sriram — Saleh shapes their most vulnerable work to date, an apocalyptic narrative informed by environmental anxieties and their experiences as a lover, holding personal truth and hope amidst chaos.

The album is out on October 11th, and pre-orders are now open for the limited edition inkblot-colored LPs, CDs, and digital formats.

Throughout I SHOULD CALL THEM, Saleh is elastic in how they use their voice and tune the scenery to love's sweetness and the moments that challenge it. The lead single uses straightforward R&B rock elements to underscore feelings of betrayal and resignation. Saleh introduces "want" and its accompanying video directed by Grant Spanier:

"'want' is a song about toxic on-again, off-again situationships. It's an anthem for those relationships that might not happen at the right time but feel so right that you go against your intuition. It's about discovering self-worth, but still wanting to lean into that cheeky naughtiness."