Unveiling “Give In,” A Luminous Journey of Love and Fear in Toronto by dennbay and Rose Shiku
Uniting the talents of Toronto producer dennbay and the emotive R&B sensation Rose Shiku, the release of their new single “Give In” marks a captivating chapter in the city’s musical narrative. This soul-stirring track not only exemplifies Toronto’s flourishing music scene but also tees up Rose Shiku for her much-anticipated appearance at Canadian Music Week.
For “Give In,” dennbay challenged himself in envisioning a track that delicately balances the ambient instrumentals reminiscent of Alina Baraz with more edgy elements characteristic of Travis Scott.
“My aim was to infuse lofi and trap elements into the mix, yet maintain a spacious and minimal feel, crafting a vivid backdrop for something profoundly soulful,” dennbay explains. “In this track, you have minimalism and a climactic trap-rave-esque chorus. This was done to illustrate the highs and lows of the excitement of meeting someone—the natural occasional apprehension and rumination, met with overwhelming exhilaration for the person.”
This intentional sound design was not just about creating music; it was about setting the stage for a powerful narrative to unfold.
“The first voice that resonated with this vision was Rose’s. Having worked with her on a previous track I wrote called Get It Right with my band, Diamonds Dye, I was already familiar with her extraordinary vocal talent and sonic storytelling,” dennbay reflects. “I really wanted Rose to lead lyrically this time around. Her ability to weave beautiful, soul-touching stories into her lyrics is truly amazing. I believed that she had a beautiful story to tell, one that would perfectly align with the instrumental foundation I had laid out.”
Rose Shiku enriches “Give In” with a narrative that is as profoundly emotional as it is evocatively narrative, transforming the track into a beacon of heartfelt expression and relatable storytelling.
Rose shared her perspective on the creation of the song, saying,
“The lyrics I wrote for ‘Give In’ are very personal, painting a picture of an inner monologue caught in the tumultuous dance between the heart and the mind. It explores the duality of feeling grateful for finding someone who understands you, who you’re deeply compatible with, and the simultaneous fear of the unknown that accompanies new connections.”
She continues, highlighting the song’s thematic essence,
“There’s passion, but it’s tinged with fear because you’re uncertain if the other person will stand by you with as much conviction. My message to listeners through ‘Give In’ is not to shy away from something beautiful, to embrace the good in life you undoubtedly deserve.”
Reflecting on the collaborative journey, Rose says,
“Collaborating with dennbay and Melody First on this track was a rewarding experience, pushing me to new heights vocally and creatively. It felt like a shared mission to encapsulate this intimate story in a song. Working together, we’ve crafted ‘Give In’ to be a source of comfort and inspiration, a musical embrace that I hope will resonate with many.”
As Toronto’s music scene continues to dazzle and evolve, “Give In” highlights the incredible talent the city harbors and its significance in shaping the future of music. This release not only underscores the artists’ growth and exploration but also celebrates the spirit of collaboration and innovation that thrives within the local music community. With “Give In,” dennbay and Rose Shiku offer a glimpse into the heart of Toronto’s musical genius, promising an unforgettable auditory journey that resonates with listeners and viewers alike.
Looking ahead, Rose Shiku is all set to take the stage at Canadian Music Week, promising an unforgettable live experience. At the same time, dennbay is busy teaming up with talented musicians to create a new collection of instrumentals for movies and media. Big things are on the horizon for both artists as they continue to make waves in the music world. Stay tuned!
First off care to introduce yourself to our readers?
For sure! I’m dennbay, a Toronto artist-producer originally from Uzbekistan! I’m in a Toronto alt-pop band Diamonds Dye. We’ve actually also got an EP coming out next month, which we’re very excited about! I’m also a solo creator, mostly into lofi, hip-hop, and more cinematic-sounding instrumentals. I love collaborating with Toronto musicians to create fusions of genres into instrumentals, and then further have vocalists tell their own stories through it. It’s my favourite thing.
Tell us a bit about your recent release.
For Give In, I tried to create a track that featured both spacious, minimal soundscapes as well as modern, trap- and electronica-inspired climaxes. I really loved this idea of going from laid back and open, to high-energy and exhilarating, and I am happy with the result. It’s both simple and involved. Going into it, I wanted to achieve a vibe that sounded like Alina Baraz meets Travis Scott, and this is what I came up with!
Having collaborated with Rose before, I knew that she would be the perfect voice for such a backdrop. I knew I wanted a really soulful sound and knew she could really bring it to life with her harmonies and powerful vocals. I also felt she should make it her own and lead with her own lyrics. Ultimately, this became a song of love and fear and her voice really brought it to life.
How do you typically go about the songwriting process? Do you have a specific method or creative routine that you follow?
It definitely depends. Sometimes, I like to create the beat or instrumental first. Other times, I like to start with the lyrics to get to the heart of the track and then shape the musical elements around it. Most often, I’d have to say I love starting from the instrumental first. I love collaborating with talented musicians to create something special. Personally, I always strive to blend at least two genres to really give the track. It can give it a world music feel expressed through more popular song formats and structures.
Last but not least, it’s time to pay it forward, what upcoming band or artist would you recommend your fans check out?
I’m obviously biased, but Rose Shiku definitely comes to mind. Besides her, also Robbie Finnegan, Kenya Jade, Jesse Maxwell, AishM, and Katie Pivovar — all voices I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with. Check out Diamond Dye’s discography to hear some of their work, and definitely be on the lookout for our EP in April!
Connect with dennbay:
Instagram