Lucie Dehli is a fearless scientist in music. Her styles and sounds are exploratory, and yet they create a sense of familiarity. People who have done a deep dive on genres of the 80s and 90s can find this similar to cold wave, yet she adds her own nuance to the specifics of the music. The one song that can make you her instant fan? Her single, As Real as Water.
Pay attention to the title, it might help you understand the song better. Lucie Dehli is creating a liquid tension, something that has to be felt to be observed. The fluidic nature has to be tangible enough through the melody, and that is what she does. Lacking percussion, she first dips your toes into the feel of the music. What comes after is a bleeding textural experience unlike any other. Distortion, melody layers and the simple beat allow you to completely focus on her vocals. The bassline comes in soon after, and you’re in deep waters. For good, as you feel the whirlpool form around you. There is detail, finesse and a certain mastery Lucie has brought in how she has performed with this. It is a pained expression of really absorbing the lyrics she is singing.
This single comes from her latest album Homam, which has beautiful songs like this all telling a story. A talented songstress, there is no doubt that she will soundtrack your lucid dreaming as well. You could imagine this song fitting very well in the closing scene of The Bourne Identity (2002), instead of Moby’s song. Follow her for more music like this and listen to the track above!