One of my favorite literary scenes takes place in The Great Gatsby. In chapter six, Nick Carraway regretfully informs Jay Gatsby that we cannot repeat the past to which Gatsby replies; “Can’t repeat the past? Why, of course you can!” What’s so significant about this outburst is that it not only highlights Gatsby's inability to move on, but the state of longing he’s forever trapped in to recapture the love he once had with former flame, Daisy. Maya Salafia’s “Everlasting” reminds me directly of this scene.
“Everlasting” is an alluring Indie-Pop ballad that details the desire to reconnect with a past partner and rekindle the lost flame. The single opens with Salafia’s soft guitar notes to introduce the emotion that will progressively expand throughout the song. The melody, much like the emotion, progresses but also transforms; it starts with a Country-Pop twang that evolves into Rock-Pop as the accompanying electric guitar is utilized beyond the chorus to attest to the strength of the love and attachment we have to a past partner. But the song is bittersweet because no action ever comes from this desire for rekindling. And in most cases, it is usually too late to reignite this love. So instead, we find ourselves in the same suspended reality as Jay Gatsby - forever yearning for a past love.
Boston-bound pop artist, Maya Salafia, began her musical love affair by producing music for audiences at 13. In 2019, a then 13-year-old Salafia released her debut EP, Trapped in a Daydream. Two years later, after a brief hiatus, she released "First Grade" and "Everlasting" a year later. The artist’s discography is rich with imagery and fully charged emotion. If her music is this prolific at 16, I cannot wait to see how age and experience transcend the immersive storytelling she provides. While we wait to see what's next from Salafia, we can shower her with virtual love in the form of streams in the meantime.
Written By Giavanna Gradaille
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