The Musician Insight

L. Park: Your new album, Essence and Elements, is centered on Earth and its different elements. How did this concept come to life through nature?

Awa Ly: Nature has always been a deep source of inspiration and healing for me. Over the years, I realized that when I felt unbalanced or disconnected, returning to the elements — earth, water, air, fire — would help me realign. Essence and Elements was born from this intimate connection. I wanted to create a sonic journey that mirrors the natural cycles, the grounding power of the earth, the cleansing flow of water, the lightness of air, and the transformative energy of fire.

L. Park: Many producers appear on this opus — Nicolas Repac, Hannah V, Lossapardo, Léonie Pernet, and Polérik Rouvière. What is your process when collaborating with other creative minds?

Awa Ly: Collaboration is at the heart of this project. Each producer was chosen for the particular color and energy they could bring to one element. I approached them with a very open heart and a clear intention for each part of the album. Our process was a dance between my vision and their universe — intuitive, respectful, and full of trust.
I gave space for each producer to shape their element freely, while making sure everything remained cohesive.

L. Park: Spirituality is a very important theme in your artistry. How do you incorporate it into your music?

Awa Ly: For me, spirituality is about connection — within ourselves, with others, with something greater than us. I try to infuse each note, each lyric with presence and intention.

The voice becomes a vessel for emotion, for healing. I also use “ritual” elements in my performances — like my koshi chimes — to ground the music and open spaces of collective resonance. It’s less about religion and more about the invisible thread that links us all.

L. Park: For this new project, you worked with both Aïssa Maïga and Roussian Dian on four music videos. What were the production and filming processes like?

Awa Ly: Working with Aïssa Maiga and Rousslan Dion was a gift. They each brought a distinct visual language that deeply respected the essence of the songs. The shoots were quite intense — sometimes in nature, under challenging weather, far from any comfort zone. But it was also magical. We were a tight-knit team, climbing mountains in Panama. For me, It felt more like making visual rituals than standard music videos.

L. Park: Through the different visuals, we are invited into a world rooted in nature’s elements. For you, how did the visuals come to mind?

Awa Ly: Each element naturally brought images to my mind — textures, colors, movements. I would often sit in meditation and let visions come.

I also spent a lot of time in nature, listening. The visuals were then developed hand-in-hand with the artists Giulia Bernardelli, Felicita Sala, Rob Cook. It was essential that the aesthetic remained organic, poetic, and honest. We didn’t want to illustrate the songs literally, but rather offer an immersive, sensory experience.

L. Park: Essence and Elements is a soul-folk record. What can we expect from this album compared to your previous work?

Awa Ly: This album is more stripped down and introspective. There’s a softness and vulnerability that reflects where I am today. Sonically, it’s both acoustic and electronic, spiritual and grounded. It’s also the first time I structure an album around a strong conceptual framework. Compared to my previous work, Essence and Elements is less about telling stories, and more about inviting listeners into a space of inner exploration.

L. Park: Finally, which studio or on-set experience was the most challenging for you, and why?

Awa Ly: Shooting the video for Breathe In Breathe Out on top of a mountain in Panama was physically demanding — we had to climb with all our gear, and the weather changed constantly. But once we got to the summit and found ourselves above the clouds, it became one of the most unforgettable moments of my life. It reminded me that beauty often lies just beyond the effort.

Photo © Daniel Baud