Cologne duo solo nour (Billie Barleben & Anatolian Lover) unveils their new single, sad something, a deeply introspective track that explores the weight of depression and the strength it takes to move forward. With their raw lyrics and a soundscape that mirrors the emotional journey from despair to hope, sad something captures the experience of those battling their inner struggles.

“There are days when even getting out of bed feels impossible,” Billie shares. “You convince yourself you’re stuck, yet life keeps moving. The weight lingers, but with time, it lightens, making space for joy to return. The first step is deciding to rise—even when it feels like you can’t.”

With Billie Barleben on vocals and Anatolian Lover on production, solo nour is more than just a musical collaboration—it’s a creative journey shaped by friendship, experimentation, and a shared passion for storytelling. Their name itself is a testament to their illuminating artistry, fusing the Spanish sol and Arabic nour, both symbolising “light.”

Billie Barleben—yes, that is her real name—is a trained actress and loves to dance. In addition to her artistic pursuits, she is involved with the project minhafaktur, a co-operative in Cologne-Poll that creates spaces for collaborative and interdisciplinary work. At the first event she organised, Yaşar Fidan—known as Anatolian Lover—also performed. Anatolian Lover grew up in Ankara and Ingolstadt. He is a beatmaker with a classic hip-hop background and has released various works with Dezibelle Records from Berlin. He is also an aspiring social worker who conducts workshops on racial equality, diversity, and masculinity.