#umbrellar

Last pint from that last night

I don't know if that was real

And I swear I'm superstitious

“Stolen off a planet, I was torn..”

Concept piece based off of the song Umbrellar by Dua Saleh (who’s a Black non-binary artist you should check out!)

Photo: Grant Spanier 

Listening to Dua Saleh’s music, there is one guarantee: you haven’t heard anything like it before. You can tell the authenticity of everything the Minneapolis-based gender non-binary artist produces, from their music to the very intentional photos they posts on Instagram. There is a noted intensity, mostly dark with occasional pops of color, and Saleh’s eyes seem to look deeper than the camera lens so that, you, on the other side of the screen, feel noticed.

Having only started recording music two years ago, Saleh is a blossoming force to be reckoned with. On the notes they choose to elongate, you can hear the sultriness and maturity of their voice. Saleh’s latest single, “umbrellar,” which is the first taste of their forthcoming EP, ROSETTA, explores the complexities of sexuality and a certain alien relationship.

“umbrellar” invites you into their explosively creative oasis, both melodically and visually. Listening to the track, you find yourself enraptured by both the encapsulating streamline of thought and the underlying driving beat.  The music video is equally impressive and a unique look into Saleh’s artistic eye. 

The accompanying video features Saleh and another individual also dressed in all white amidst a forest. They dance freely, but are simultaneously imprisoned by bright ribbons that tie them together and blind them from seeing anything else. From unconventional angles in front of various geometric structures, such as a hollow standing circle and a tower made out of antique radios, Saleh boldly narrates an ode to what feels like an alien love.

Currently the cover of Spotify’s curated Anti Pop playlist, Saleh embodies everything there is to love about a constantly evolving music landscape. “umbrellar” wonderfully challenges mainstream norms and is a product of unapologetic artistry.

Listen to “umbrellar” below:

It's cold and rainy today here in New York City and I decided the best way to counter that is to have a startorial umbrella that makes me look forward to using it. With some creative googling, I was able to find a small selection of options, but not nearly enough in my opinion. Someone needs to fill the whole in this market! 

Clockwise from top left:

Green galaxy umbrella from Umbrellar on Etsy ($38.50). Possibly based on a real image, but not one any astronomers I know recognize...

Lace, polka dot, star umbrella from Lollipopninja on Etsy ($20.00).

Transparent star print dome umbrella from Universal Textiles (8.95 GBP).

Trio of spacey umbrellas ranging from moonrise to constellations to aurora on Ebay ($14.99 each). 

Pasotti Ombrelli Black and Stars umbrella from Pianki.com ($290.00). Complete with Swarovski crystals for the big spenders among you! 

Grand Central Station constellation ceiling umbrella from MTA's Transit Museum Store ($30.00). 

Given the annual winter meeting of the American Astronomical Society is in Seattle this year, I should probably just go ahead and buy one of each.