Love songs never go out of style. And if the subject of the love song is an unrequited love story leading to heartbreak, it is sure to find many takers. ‘Forgive’ by Indo-Canadian independent artist Neela does exactly that. Released on March 15, this RnB Soul number sung in English was released independently. It has been written, composed and sung by Neelam Khare or Neela, as she is better known; produced by Juno and Grammy Award winning Akeel Henry and Kevin Ekofo; mixed and mastered by Colin Leonard at SING Mastering; and its animation video has been created by Purusha Anokhei and Neela.
Speaking about her latest single ‘Forgive’, Neela says, “It delves into the intricate layers of forgiveness and self-worth amidst heartache. This track promises to captivate audiences with its raw emotion and soulful melodies.” The song infuses raspy vocals with indie R&B musicality, making the sound a compelling one.
“I drew inspiration from my personal experiences of love, heartache, resilience, self-discovery, and forgiveness to craft a visually stunning narrative. The accompanying music video will transport viewers on a visual journey through the vibrant landscapes of India, paying homage to my ancestral roots,” she explains. Having received two prestigious grant awards from MVP Prism, which is a joint initiative of RBCxMusic and the Prism Prize (administered by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television) and FACTOR, the government of Canada and Canada’s private radio broadcasters, to support the making of their animation, they dive into metaphorical imagery to brings to life the song’s themes of self-acceptance and love.
This latest single follows the success of her previous ones titled ‘You’ll Never Know’ and ‘Tease’, which garnered over two million views and streams worldwide. With her highly anticipated EP ‘Exposed’, which offers both English and Hindi lyrics, set for release in the coming months, Neela is certainly on a roll.
As a Toronto-based singer-songwriter, Neela is known for her soulful vocals and emotionally charged lyrics. In 2019, she made her debut with ‘Lovers in Danger’ produced by Juno Award-winning Beatchild (Drake, Justin Nozuka). In 2021, she put forth ‘Prelude’ with three-times Grammy award-winning producer, Chin Injeti (Eminem, Lecrae).
Her collaborator on the video, Purusha Anokhei, is founder of Anokhei Productions. She was born in the Middle East and moved to Canada at the age of nine. Anokhei enjoys weaving all art forms into a cohesive auditory-visual storytelling experience. She does this by directing short films, documentaries, and music videos.
Neela’s tracks – which are usually accompanied by interesting music videos that beautifully incorporate her Indian ancestry – have become popular across various platforms. She has performed live for audiences of over 3000 people and captivated crowds at renowned festivals such as Toronto Dundas Square Desi-Fest, NXNE, Canadian Music Week, School Night, Velvet Underground, and Indian Summer Festival.
“The lyrics of ‘Forgive’ explore the complex emotions tied to love, forgiveness, and letting go. Despite the heartache, there is a profound maturity in the willingness to forgive and find self-worth. The song implies that the lessons learned and the healing experienced in this relationship will not be forgotten and passed on to future generations, fostering growth and understanding. Ultimately, the repeated refrain of, “I will forgive, but I don’t know if I’ll love again”, echoes the ongoing internal struggle and the uncertain journey ahead. The song captures the bittersweet essence of love, forgiveness, and the unpredictable nature of what comes next,” she says.
When asked about her creative process, Neela shares, “’Forgive’ was written on my guitar and it was spurred on by the desire to express and release the emotions I was feeling at the time. Afterwards, I worked with Juno and Grammy award winning Akeel Henry and Kofo on the production of this song. As for the video, we wanted to expand our artistry, so I teamed up with my creative director Purusha Anokhei. We created an animation storyboard with the backdrop of India showcasing my ancestral roots. Using metaphors in the animation we showcase my journey to self-acceptance and love.”
Even as she gears up for the release of her full EP ‘Exposed’ next month, Neela is already back to the studio working on her next album. “I’ve also gone back to learning classical Indian music to expand my knowledge and practice of raags with the guidance of my guruji,” she shares with a smile.
Noor Anand Chawla pens lifestyle articles for various publications and her blog www.nooranandchawla.com.