Many artists choose to hide their imperfections and insecurities, but singer-songwriter Neela has decided to embrace hers and put her experiences into her music. The artist who divides her time between Toronto and Vancouver does precisely that on her new single “Exposed.”
The song is the title track from her forthcoming third EP and is co-written by Neela, Akeel Henry and Alvin Brennan and produced by Henry and Kofo. It's rooted in her real-life transformation after losing a considerable amount of weight and being left with stretch marks and loose skin. In the midst of learning to love her new body, she's found someone who loves her just the way she is.
"These experiences created a lot of insecurities, and it's been a journey to accept and love my story, body and identity," Neela shared on Instagram. "This song is the beginning of my process of sharing my insecurities, shame and vulnerability."
Neela is vulnerable throughout "Exposed" as she reveals her true self to her partner as a means of showing that she's ready to take their relationship to the next level. Like most of us, she admits to being hurt before, but she is ready to love and trust again.
She lays it all out on the pre-chorus, singing, "I've been hurt before / Broken and bruised from their words / I bear it all for you / And here I am standing exposed." She thanks her tender lover for their acceptance on the chorus. "You see all my stretch and you see all my lines / Kiss all my scars, yeah / Embrace all of me / My temper, my heat / Even when it's not easy," Neela lovingly sings.
Her breathy vocals are a perfect match for the song’s acoustic vibe. The guitar is the lead instrument on the first verse until the bass and an understated drumbeat kick in with the chorus and remain for the rest of the track. A beautiful string outro ends the song on an uplifting note to match the tone of the song.
Neela is an artist who writes and sings from the heart and is not afraid to share her feelings in her art. Expect her to share more when her EP Exposed is released in the coming months. In the meantime, listen to “Exposed” below and stream it from your choice of digital music platforms.
