“With exploratory production that’s as expansive and dreamy as it is frenetic, it’s an affecting document of the pain smoldering beneath Aalegra’s curated veneer of nonchalance,” says Pitchfork of Snoh Aalegra’s most recent album offering TEMPORARY HIGHS IN THE VIOLET SKIES (released July 9, 2021). The statement hits the mark as the Iranian, Swedish born singer and songwriter Snoh Aalegra is one of the most exciting and critically acclaimed voices in music today. Her sound evokes the soulful essence of her idols such as Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, yet lined with an authenticity and raw emotion that is unparalleled and a deep sense of outsiderdom that is largely universal. Her music heavily draws from her life experiences and challenges as a person who’s long felt like an outsider and now coming into her own.
Leading into album release, Snoh Aalegra released “LOST YOU,” produced by No ID with co production by Maneesh and sent her incredibly engaged and loyal fans into a frenzy. This song was the first official music to follow her critically-acclaimed sophomore album Ugh, Those Feels Again. That album earned critical praise across all important music publications. She also won Best New Artist at the 2020 Soul Train Awards and Best New R&B Artist at the iHeartRadio Music Awards signaling a tentpole moment for the songstress catapulting her into stardom. Ugh, Those Feels Again debuted as the #1 R&B album on iTunes and received large critical acclaim from NPR, Pitchfork, The Atlantic, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, i-D, Associated Press, W Magazine, Paper Magazine, Women’s Wear Daily and many more. The album delved into the forces and feelings that fill the walls of her sound and mind: self-love, independence, alienation, anxiety, toxic relationships and love, growth, and hopefulness.
Alongside the massive success of her album, her songs “I Want You Around” and “Whoa” hit #1 on national R&B radio charts. At the end of 2019, Snoh sold out two major headlining US tours within minutes cementing that the hype surrounding her music expanded beyond the industry and she had created a worldwide fanbase. Following, Snoh released her stunning music video for
her song “Whoa” receiving praise from Vogue, Essence, Teen Vogue, Hypebeast, BET, Highsnobiety, Buzzfeed, Nylon, Entertainment Tonight and many more.
In early 2020, Snoh debuted her striking Tiny Desk performance that broke records amassing for NPR over 1 million views in just a few days. Shortly after, Pharrell unveiled a rendition of Snoh’s breakout song “Whoa”, which was lauded by music critics at FADER, MTV, Vibe, Hypebeast and more. Complex called it, “The perfect love song.” She followed with remarkable collaborations with R&B duo DVSN on their song “Between Us” and beloved Swedish rapper Timbuktu on his song “AOD.”
Even before her breakout 2017 debut album FEELS rocked the music world landing to esteemed recognition and global acclaim, she had already caught the attention of the iconic late great Prince, who was her mentor for two years before he passed. FEELS went on garner praise from some of music’s heavyweights such as luminary hip hop producer No I.D. Additionally, she had already collaborated with celebrated artists and producers such as Drake, Common, John Mayer, Vince Staples, James Fauntleroy, Boi-1da, DJ Dahi, RZA and many more.
Snoh is also a known commodity in the fashion space having worked with some of the biggest brands and designers in the world. In early 2019, Snoh made her runway debut as the star of Mugler’s Paris Fashion Show, which was celebrated by Vogue and many others. Snoh was also personally invited to the CFDA Awards by Pyer Moss’ Kerby Jean-Raymond.
Snoh Aalegra exists in a space both musically and artistically all her own. She is now one of the most celebrated artists in the world. Her latest album, lionized universally everywhere, is further testimony that music shaped from real experience and emotion will traverse timelessly.
