Nova Moura - Half Dead, But Still
Flow and soul are the essence of Nova Moura, one of my favorite artists, who just dropped “Half Dead, But Still.”
Nova Moura | Photo: Taylor James
Moura is a prodigy, originally from Cincinnati, but now lives and works in So-Cal, in the vast metropolis called Los Angeles. Enigmatic as all get-out, not much is known about Nova Moura. Ostensibly, he started out as a rapper, but discovered hip-hop wasn’t what he was looking for. So he moved to neo-soul-flavored R&B. And boy-howdy are his fans glad he did.
Moura’s sound encompasses beau coup emotion, copious textures of R&B, and tons and tons of scrumptious soul, as if he’s the prototype of sumptuous soul.
Rumor has it he’s presently working on an EP, which so far is untitled, but described as imminent. When it drops, it will follow Moura’s previous offerings, Ramona, Volumes 1 and 2, and singles like “Gone Girl” and “Nauseous,” both of which are tumescent with luscious soul-filled colors and oozing passion.
In short, anything Nova Moura releases is worth immediate attention, because this guy definitely has it going on!
This song is off-the-chain excellent. Like I said, Nova Moura has it going on in a big, BIG way. Smooth and oh, so delicious.
“Half Dead, But Still” opens on pale brassy tones flowing into a hip-hop-flavored melody rife with velvety tones and emerging colors of burnished surfaces. The dark coloration of the harmonics infuses the tune with melancholic hues, opaque yet full of ozone-smelling mists. There’s wistfulness, a haunting desire, exuding from the melody, as if palpable aching emotions are dripping from the music.
Moura’s voice, cool, suave, tantalizing, yet lonely and sad beyond redemption, flows with persuasive timbres and a frisson of quixotic familiarity, akin to the feelings we all experience inside, but can never express.
Stream-of-consciousness-like lyrics imbue the music with remote nuances of uneasiness.
“I stay up and drink my coffee late / I stay up and pray to God you stay / I've been shopping clothing I don't like / I've been fucking with the other side / I believe that God is in me, man / I believe that Jesus need a plan / 'Cause wait a minute, on the killer / Note I'm stupid, yeah yo bitches sip vanilla, so.”
This song is off-the-chain excellent. Like I said, Nova Moura has it going on in a big, BIG way. Smooth and oh, so delicious.
