Dua Saleh - want (Official Video)
Picture Credit: Grant Spanier
Multidisciplinary Sudanese-American artist Dua Saleh (they/them) announces their highly anticipated debut album, I SHOULD CALL THEM, slated for release on October 11th via Ghostly International. In celebration, they share their newest single from the album titled “want,” which follows “unruly” featuring serpentwithfeet, and further reveals a new era sonically and personally. Showcasing Saleh’s staggering prowess as a singer, songwriter, and sonic architect, I SHOULD CALL THEM houses a collection of R&B-infused electronic indie-pop songs that portray the spiritual power, resilience, and joy of love found between two star crossed lovers. Equal parts imaginative and lived-through, it's a statement record only Saleh could make.
The album features striking collaborations with Gallant, serpentwithfeet, Sid Sriram, and Ambré and production contributions from highly acclaimed Grammy nominated producers such as Rogét Chahayed (Travis Scott, Jack Harlow, Khalid, Doja Cat), Biako (Fousheé, Yuna, Jean Dawson), Stint (Carly Rae Jepsen, Kesha), and 1Mind (Juice WRLD, Don Toliver, Lil Yachty). It serves as Saleh's first body of work since their contribution as a co-writer for Travis Scott’s UTOPIA track ‘MY EYES’ (alongside Justin Vernon and Sampha), returning to their breakout role in the Netflix series Sex Education, and taking the cover of GAY TIMES as their 2023 Rising Star in Music honour recipient. Here Saleh shapes their most vulnerable work to date, an apocalyptic narrative informed by environmental anxieties and their experiences as a lover, holding personal truth and hope amidst chaos.
Throughout I SHOULD CALL THEM, Saleh is elastic in how they use their voice and tune the scenery to love's sweetness and the moments that challenge it. “want” uses straightforward R&B rock elements to underscore feelings of betrayal and resignation. The song speaks to the deeply universal experience of falling into destructive relationships, or more often than not, situationships that go against one’s better judgment but can ultimately be part of a larger journey of discovering one’s self-worth. The companion video directed by Grant Spanier captures the perplexing sentiment of the song as Saleh explores their desire to be lovers with someone struggling with toxic tendencies, grappling with the challenging union while also honoring the special bond between the two lovers that leads to Dua powerfully arriving to self.
I SHOULD CALL THEM is available for pre-order HERE.