(October 20, 2019) Hashtags 'blessed,' 'hot girl summer' and 'living my best life': it's the modern equivalent of 'never let them see you sweat' and so many strive to live up the hype. But more often than not, the truth is that we fall short. Feeling inadequate is part of the process, but that doesn't mean we can't go deeper and follow Nialand's lead and flip that scenario "Inside Out.
"Imbued with drive and charisma, Nialand's talents have been honed for over a decade, placing her on the stage and in the studio with a who's who of hitmakers, including Roy Ayers, Christopher Williams, Kanye West and MC Lyte, just to name a few. Jazz, soul and hip-hop are obvious influences this Chicago native's sound, but "Inside Out," both sung and recited over a poetry-lounge-ready mid-tempo, displays Nialand's struggle to keep it pushing through life's turbulence and persevere: "I trusted the wrong people and kinda fell off-track, but I'm back and better than before.....I must be real with me and start releasing things to have some peace in me."
A musical snapshot of an emerging and ambitious performer, "Inside Out" is Nialand's latest release, following her 2016 debut, Next In Line: The Project, and showcases that even diamonds in the rough hold shine. Arriving is the goal, but 'living your best life' includes the raw journey from within.
By Melody Charles
Nialand - "Inside Out"
