Tempo Talks: A Conversation with Shanay Morant
THE RELEASE
Sultry voices, groovy rhythms, and airy landscapes come together in the soft burn that is “The Elements of NaySoul Vol. 1.” After a history of standalone singles, this New Yorker released her first EP in February 2025 to deepen her mark on the soul and R&B scene. Her musical and creative pursuits transport her from coast to coast, as she now discovers her voice in Los Angeles.
Though only her debut album, Shanay Morant's confidence and unique sound are instantly clear from the star; it is instantly clear right from the start. The first track (and one of my personal favorites), “These Waters,” sets the scene for the EP. The dreamy soundscape is a warm space ready for Morant's beautiful voice to fill. She easily slides into the track, a smooth and casual edge to her voice that mimics the mellow pulse of the song. As the song unravels with layers of vocals, the melodic echos and some crunchy harmonies drift by like leaves on a tranquil stream.
The album carries on with that same gentle grace and sultriness through expressions of love and longing. Another favorite is “Fall for You,” which picks up with a percussive hip-shaking beat and another set of smooth vocals from DNA Picasso. The lyrical simplicity of this song highlights Morant's true melodic instincts, as the same phrases appear many times but evoke different resonances and textures. The same pared-back style appears again in other tracks; the meaning of words becomes secondary, letting the sonic qualities of her voice come into the spotlight. The effect reminds me of witnessing those rare, precious moments of synchronicity during a jam session: an intimate sound that comes from the heart and almost grasps the full unity of what music can be.
This is only the beginning for Shanay Morant. With this album, she takes another step in her journey—which will be to release three more EPs! The series intends to celebrate her creative and artistic growth, drawing inspiration from the elements of water, fire, earth, and air, and no doubt there will be many listeners to celebrate with her.
THE INTERVIEW
Congratulations on your first EP! How does it feel to have it released?
Honestly I have this sense of relief because it took me 2 years and 8 months to complete. The first 2 years were filled with fears and doubts about my capabilities. It took some time but I pushed myself to overcome all the anxiety and go after what I wanted. Within 8 months I was able to finish the EP.
What was the production process like for you? Were there any surprises that stood out?
The production process was very unorthodox. I created a lot of demos that could potentially make the cut. When I met up with my engineer Lucho, we worked together to elevate each demo to its highest potential. Being a new producer, it was so thrilling to hear an accomplished engineer compliment my work and creativity. Our teamwork is why the music sounds like what it does today.
You have three more EPs left in this series. Is there anything you’ve learned from producing this one that you will take with you as you finish the others?
- 1. It’s ok to take risks. Most of the risks that I’ve taken musically have paid off so I will continue to take risks moving forward.
- 2. PATIENCE IS KEY! Don’t rush the process.
Aside from the natural elements, what are your other musical inspirations? Any odd or particularly niche ones?
My brand is about self elevation and discovery so anything that falls in line is inspiration to me. For example, I stopped eating meat in 2017. Since then I’ve been very attentive regarding my diet. I ended up making a track called “Tofu”. The song explores the concept of substitutions. For example, tofu can be used as a substitution for meat just as much as men and women can have rosters of substitutions to choose from.
Your voice moves with such graceful ease, what is your experience like from your point of view when you are singing in studio or on stage?
In the studio, I can approach singing with a sweet, and soft caress. I can be vulnerable in a sacred way as I would with my mate. On stage, I can take all of my past experiences as fuel to relate and connect with my audience. I can be vulnerable on stage as well as the studio but just in a different way. Similar to how people from all walks of life can come together and have a life changing experience through music.
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