Zoya - Eternity [CD]

There's a spectrum of reasons why artists create albums. ZOYA however never set out to make one in the first place. It began with what is now 'Eternity's penultimate track, 'When Heaven Calls', a piece she wrote in the aftermath of the most tragic of circumstances three years ago. 'Heaven' became the first in a track series, which then bloomed organically into what we're looking at here today: the young Bulgarian producer and DJ's debut LP. ZOYA goes on to explain: "In 2021, I lost my mother to Covid. It happened very suddenly, and it brought into perspective just how short and transient everything is. My grief was so great that nothing made sense anymore. I found solace only in music - it saved me! I created the first track of the following series, titling it 'When Heaven Calls', which is dedicated to mom. My inspiration grew from that piece of music into a full album. Each track on it carries its own story and individual emotional thread, creating a tapestry of my journey through grief and healing. Through my music, I would like to allow others to connect with those emotions, creating a shared experience that they too can also find comfort in. My story is a testament to the enduring nature of love expressed through art. I decided to call it 'Eternity', as through it, I wanted to gift you a piece of myself. Music is eternal and therefore, one day when I am gone, you will still be able to feel a part of my soul, that will live through my tracks - a part of the 'Eternity'." ZOYA's album release brings to a head the most transformative year in her career. In the illustrious form of 'In Search Of Sunrise 20', it saw her mix her first music compilation (which also became her debut vinyl release), while playing in a host of new cities and countries, and remixing leading scene lights, Markus Schulz amongst them. For those with keener ears, some of ZOYA's sorrow will be discernible across the thirteen tracks that comprise the album. 'Gone', 'Endless' and 'Eternity' itself speak titular volumes to the loss that sparked its process. Moreover though, it's as also a celebration of life (or one life in particular); a cathartic listening experience, rich with creative, intuitive, heartfelt melodies and nuanced production moments. Taken as a whole, 'Eternity' plays start through finish much like a ZOYA set, each piece beautifully complimenting the last, while in turn framing the next. Where words might prove a distraction, 'Eternity' doesn't shy from instrumentalism. The progressively natured 'Gravity', the harmonic ebb/flow of 'Riverside' and her most recent single, the Balearically-shaded 'Crystal Cove', illustrate her stylistic range. They though only heighten the emotional impact of its vocal numbers. 'Gone' grips from its very first lyrical line, while 'One [We'd Be Love]' is as sweetly sung as 'Free' (with FACTORe & SCHROEDS) is as dramatic and breaks-driven. With ZOYA taking the lion's share of production duties on her own shoulders, collabora