Sparklmami – “si”

Sparklmami has made a record with all the rhythmic persuasion of a conga line, while the lyrics are practically looking us straight in the eyes and delivering a personal revelation. Which raises a question: what's the opposite of subliminal messaging? Overt messaging? Superliminal?

Remember that wonderfully ridiculous bit from The Simpsons where, instead of planting a message in someone's subconscious, you just yell it directly at them? That's essentially what Sparklmami is doing on “si,” only she's brought along 1980s electric piano, synthesizers, jazz-funk and harmonies to make the transaction considerably more inviting. The vocals move between singing and spoken declarations, with every word given its own moment in the spotlight. We love a woman who enunciates while making us dance.

And what she's telling us is worth hearing. Sparklmami describes “si” as an exploration of shiny toy syndrome, that fascination with a crush who seems to possess everything you're looking for. Except the qualities drawing you toward them might already exist in you. There's a lovely realization in that: another person can help you recognize things about yourself you've been overlooking. The crush gets your attention. The mirror gets the credit.

Daniel Delgado

She even has a little fun with the language, turning a familiar legal warning into “cease and exist.” That's a pretty fantastic response to anyone who'd prefer you take up less space. And it fits an artist whose music seems perfectly comfortable accommodating several musical traditions at once. Brazilian jazz, Mexican bolero, experimental soul, funk. Nobody's being asked to surrender their personality at the door.

All of which makes “si” a particularly good time for a song with so much self-reflection happening inside it. Sparklmami can work through attraction, identity and self-worth while the rhythm carries on with its own agenda. You came for the conga line and left with a better understanding of yourself. Not a bad night out.