Cat Mayel’s “FREE” arrived, not on a silver platter, but more like a rogue pigeon delivering a very important message – a crumpled napkin with profound scribbles. This Nigerian producer, composer, arranger, and all-around sonic sorceress has served up a single dose of alternative neo-soul that feels… well, free. As free as a shopping cart with a wonky wheel, anyway. It goes where it wants.
The theme, as they say, is self-liberation. But have you ever tried to liberate a particularly stubborn jar of pickles? It’s like that, only the pickles are your inner demons and the jar is, well, everything else. Mayel seems to understand this struggle. The music doesn’t pummel you with positivity; it oozes understanding. It is in some moments very gentle. A calming reassurance that you are on the right path, that things take time.
The message is about breaking free, seeking truth, finding your own brand of sparkly inner peace – all that good stuff. It reminded me, oddly enough, of the time I tried to assemble flat-pack furniture without instructions. Pure chaos, followed by an unexpected sense of accomplishment (and a slightly lopsided bookcase). Grace and love, two birds with significantly different plumage, yet both birds indeed.
“FREE” is a journey of self discovery. It tells you, go on, unfold yourself. What if a fern could sing, though? Would it sound like this?
Mayel crafts an environment, somewhere you can shed not only expectations from the outside, but that internal, judging voice. A sanctuary of self-embrace and the freedom to explore every path your self-discovery takes. You know, at your own pace, with an open heart and curious eyes. A journey without maps… or a need for any.
“FREE” sounds how you hope existing can, and sometimes does feel.
Perhaps the real freedom isn’t in the destination, but in the bewildering, beautiful mess of getting there.
Follow Cat Mayel on Website, YouTube and Instagram.
