Standing out as an RnB singer in a world that’s rife with the best of the best littering just about any corner, is hard, but for British singer, Hamzaa, her journey from obscurity has seemed like a breeze and this is perhaps a thing of the weight of strong vocals that has carried her from level to level, also, her knack for searing stories and finally, her bankable partnerships. While it’s been two years since the vocal powerhouse ventured out by herself on a full body of work, she has lost none of the sensibilities that make her a fan favorite, in fact, still reverencing her beginnings albeit in a more mature way now, her latest, Full Circle is a journey-defining appraisal of her life.
Split in seven weighty tracks the singer succinctly describes as soundtracks to life, Full Circle is indeed Hamzaa’s love story to her sonic roots, an unrefined source of pure talent and raw feelings. This is evident from the very first track on which she sings, the Miraa May-assisted In Between, a vivacious track that finds the duo with their feet firmly planted on the ground, dictating and swaying in the process. As a lover, Hamzaa is no longer the wary one we were introduced to on 2019 EP, Phases, she’s daring, and even as she finds her way back to a subject she’s all too familiar with, she leads with maturity instead. Her voice, approach, and demeanor are all proof of this.
The songs that follow the earlier released In Between, are delivered in the same self-assured manner. Who’s Loving You? with its largely pop backdrop, is an unfamiliar sound that only appreciates Hamzaa’s comfortability in exploring uncharted territories now. Aggressive, though softly performed introduces us to feisty and menacing Hamzaa. Heaven and In The Rain finds the singer taking her cinematic writing style to new heights.
Nothing speaks to going full circle like a renewed outlook on old habits. Full Circle is an exhilarating, enthusing, and evolutionary encapsulation of Hamzaa’s roots.