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avara published by daylon hicks

It’s no secret just how passionate Avara is about her work. This passion is evident through the various single releases alongside her 2024 EP, been some time. Fast-forward to 2025, she released her debut album, A Softer Place to Land, which truly embodies her ethereal presence alongside a flow that resonates across diverse audiences.

A Softer Place to Land doesn’t just mark a milestone in her career, it’s a coming-of-age in real time, a vulnerable yet empowered declaration of who she is and who she’s becoming. She invites listeners into a deeply introspective world, where softness is not a weakness but a guide, a form of strength that challenges traditional notions of resilience. In this space, tenderness becomes transformative, and emotional honesty takes center stage. From the opening notes to the closing track, there’s a clear sense of emotional clarity and overrall balance. Every lyric feels lived-in, as if pulled directly from journal pages or midnight reflections, creating an atmosphere that’s both intimate and expansive. The production, subtle yet layered, allows the storytelling to breathe, underscoring the journey without overpowering it.

The album also reflects a masterful understanding of production as storytelling. She uses sound not just as a backdrop but as an active emotional force, layering synths, vocal textures, and ambient elements to create a dreamlike environment. Whether it’s the gentle pull of lo-fi beats or the slow build of soundscapes, every sonic decision feels intentional. The influence of her collaborators is evident but never overpowering. Instead, they enrich the narrative, AYUSH’s execution, Deb Fan’s flow, Rahul’s grounded production, Alé Araya’s mellow vocals, and Chloe George’s vocal interplay all leave their mark, shaping a collective expression of vulnerability and creative freedom. Add in Koad’s presence, Rehma’s, Elysía’s and Calla Morgan’s vocals in their respective songs, and you have a body of work that pushes all artists featured beyond the surface level.

Rather than rushing toward resolution or wrapping emotions in neat conclusions, she leans into the grey areas, allowing the weight of each feeling to settle naturally. It’s an invitation to slow down and truly be with the music, to experience it not just intellectually, but emotionally and physically.