An energetic and impressive debut

Julia Bhatt, a 20-year-old indie artist, recently released her debut album, it is what it is. The collection of songs is nothing short of impressive, especially for a debut. She uses elements from R&B, soul, pop, electronica and indie music. On top of that, she uses her lyrics to express herself as a musician and storyteller. She explores topics from love and relationship to mental health and the following of dreams. This album is an upbeat collection of songs that any audience will surely enjoy. 

“On My Shoulder” kicks off the album by telling a story and setting an indie-pop vibe for the album. This song is brutally honest and sings stories of people living with mistakes and regrets. Singing about the loss of dreams and falling behind in life, the song is somewhat pessimistic. Her story-filled lyrics show off her writing abilities and are backed by her clear, yet nasally voice. Behind her vocals are shard drums and a rhythmic guitar that carry the song while still leaving space for her story to shine through. 

The following track, “Karma,” is a more upbeat, but just as impressive track. This track takes on some R&B and soul influences, with syncopated rhythms, groovy guitars and impressive vocals. Her sound on this track is somewhat similar to an Amy Winehouse song through both instrumentation and captivating vocals. She sings about not wanting to wait for someone or care for them on a deeper level as they do for her. The lyrics are cheeky, but honest. 

While the song “Fighting Type” takes on a more pop sound, it is just as catchy as the previous tracks. With rhythmic synthesizer pulses, Bhatt takes on a high-energy sound. Singing in syncopation, her lyrics explore struggling and dark times in a hopeful light. She sings, “It’s okay to not be okay.” This track is intriguing as it is fun, catchy and light but has a much deeper meaning. 

The seventh track, “Confetti,” is another groovy, danceable track. This song has a similar message to “Fighting Type,” but it is much lighter and easygoing. She sings about comforting someone who is going through a rough period. She acknowledges their struggles and then attempts to distract them from the pain. The positive lyrics are backed by upbeat synthesizers, groovy guitars and steady drums. This song is a light and uplifting addition to the album. 

The second to last and one of the most popular tracks is “Hair Salon Vibes.” The lyrics are more sparing in this song. Many sections consist of adlibs rather than lyrics, but the sections with lyrics explore themes of leaving troubles behind and going somewhere new. These lyrics could be interpreted in different ways by each listener. Despite the sparing lyrics, the track is a fun, danceable song with upbeat synthesizers, high-energy drums and echoey vocals. 

Overall, this album is an energetic and impressive debut for Bhatt. She is sure to gain listeners and she continues to release more music and grow as an artist.