Shivum Sharma, In Transit (EP) | Album Review 💿

Southeast London singer, songwriter, producer, and DJ Shivum Sharma makes our ears perk up on his incredibly sweet, four-song project, In Transit (EP).

Sometimes, the ear is ‘starving’ to be challenged – to hear something truly different.  There is nothing wrong with music that is simple and fun – it has its pros.  That said, music that is more thoughtful and challenging can carry even more weight.  Southeast London singer, songwriter, music producer, and DJ 🎙 Shivum Sharma provides an ear-catching challenge everyone should partake of.  He only delivers 16 minutes of music and four songs on 💿 In Transit (EP), but he makes every second of it worthwhile.  Prepare yourself for some of the most celestial music your ears have heard in all of 2022.  Worth noting that all songs were written by Sharma.

“Satisfy” 

In Transit commences with 🤩 🎵 “Satisfy,” which truly sets the tone. The record features a gorgeous backdrop. Harmonically, I love the variation that I hear, which goes beyond standard progressions.  This is a characteristic that spills over into the other three songs – one of the biggest selling points.  Another selling point is the beautiful lead vocals by Sharma.  Shivum sings with such ease, and those high notes pop right out! Furthermore, the music has a hypnotic quality that draws you in and mesmerizes you as you listen. Adding to the excellence, thoughtful lyrics match the sophisticated nature of the music.  The best moment – the centerpiece – is the tuneful chorus:

“Don’t say you’re willing and able to,

You only get what you pay for, oh

Tell me, would that satisfy you?

Would that satisfy you?”

Following an opener as sublime as 🎵 “Satisfy” is tough.  No worries, though, because 🤩 🎵 “Words” preserves and expands upon the momentum built. “Words to be lost and to be found,” Shivum sings, continuing, “Will disperse / Find a new home under the ground for good.” Sigh, what a vibe! Once more, the production work is magnificent. The record features a superb groove from the onset. Nerding out regarding sound 🤓, I love the timbre of the drum programming. Further blessing my ears is the lovely, lush vocal layering, which sounds utterly celestial.  Also, the harmonic progression continues to be sophisticated, exhibiting willingness to venture ‘out there’ with the chords. Sharma continues to sing with incredible ease.  Again, he delivers a tuneful chorus where the words are simple but the execution divine:

“Words of a curious child

Child

Are words never making a sound

Sound.”

The bridge is another superb moment (“Let’s start making it over…”). I love how Sharma indulges in this lush, luxurious, and plush backdrop.  Call “Words” what it is – a certified vibe.

“Unconditional”

🎵 “Unconditional” arrives as the longest song of In Transit. No worries, it’s not far off in duration from 🎵 “Words” or the closing record, 🎵 “Overload.”  On “Unconditional,” Sharma begins singing in his lower register, which is as radiant as his upper register – the man is skilled. “Unconditional” has a slow, relaxed pace, but it’s not boring thanks to the driving, soulful groove.  Once more, the palette is comprised of more soulful, jazz harmonies while the instrumental backdrop continues to be sophisticated, characterized by incredible finesse and refinement. Another tuneful chorus is under Shivum’s belt, again simple, but with variations keeping things interesting.  As much as I love the chorus, my favorite lyrics hail from the second verse, in all their glory:

“You deem these grounds as too sensitive

To me, the one you walk them with

At night you rest your head and forget

That I see you when you don’t see yourself.”

Poetic lyrics really make In Transit a special EP.  It doesn’t stop on the closer either.  🎵 “Overload” is as successful as the other songs that appear on the EP.  We get another strong groove, more impressive harmonic ideas, a lush backdrop, lyrics that continue to impress, and – you guessed it – another tuneful chorus:

“You’re only there for me when I’ve got something you want

You’re in overload, I wish you’d take it slow

Biting the hand you feed, baby, you leave me just hanging on

You’re in overload. I wish you would take it slow.”

Sheer magnificence! I must compliment the key change that occurs during the bridge.  So many musicians avoid modulations these days, which were once more popular.  Give Shivum Sharma credit for embracing an unfortunate rarity.  Also, can’t fail to mention is high notes during the modulation – absolutely crazy!

Final Thoughts 💭 

Shivum Sharma only gives us 16 minutes of music.  Even so, with 💿 In Transit (EP), he makes that short duration well worth it.  Yeah, there are only four songs but all four are amazing.  The songwriting is intriguing, not only impressing the listener but also challenging the listener to stretch their ears.  I love the cerebral nature of this EP just as much as I love hearing Sharma’s incredible instrument.  In Transit earns my seal of approval.

🤩 Gems 💎: “Satisfy” & “Words” 

🎙 Shivum Sharma • 💿 In Transit (EP) • 🗓 7.21.22

[📷: Shivum Sharma]