“I Want People to Dance”: NoMBe’s Disco Period Merges Confidence with Rhythm, Empowerment, and Black Culture Before the Release of ‘DIÁSPORA’ - Atwood Magazine

      NoMBe shares insights on the rebirth, freedom, and creative evolution behind “Nu Lova,” an enticing, rhythmic anthem that symbolizes a vibrant entry into disco and paves the way for an audacious, limitless new chapter in his third album, ‘Diáspora.’

      Stream: “Nu Lova” – NoMBe

      The warmth of NoMBe’s “Nu Lova” lingers well after the last notes fade – a dense, alluring heat that resonates through the body and uplifts the spirit. It evokes the feeling of a sultry night under a disco ball, where heartache transforms into hope and an unknown smile feels like salvation. Released last fall as the lead single from Diáspora – NoMBe’s upcoming third album and an homage to the Black musical legacy – “Nu Lova” is a release, a celebration, a confrontation, and a renewal.

      This track also signifies a bold new path. “Nu Lova” marks NoMBe’s first venture into disco, and he embraces the genre wholeheartedly: sultry guitars sparkle over a driving beat as he revels in the thrill of newfound romance. There’s healing in the rhythm, liberation in the groove. The entire piece radiates like a summer sunset.

      The lyrics reflect this sentiment:

      Two lips and daffodils

      By my window sill

      And I love the scent I crave

      New love, new hugs, no weeds

      I pull out the thorns

      And let the breeze carry them away

      To a distant place

      Where they won’t hurt

      And my heart remains warm

      Like my lawn basking in the sunlight

      This rebound is genuine and a journey

      Only time will tell if it sticks or we part ways

      NoMBe (born Noah McBeth) tells Atwood Magazine, “’Nu Lova’ is about emerging from a relationship with the determination to not let it hold you back. It’s about not wallowing in sorrow, but getting ready to go out and connect with someone new. It adopts a slightly optimistic and cheeky perspective on breakups, where you feel as if a burden has been lifted.”

      That vibe is noticeable from the opening lines: “Two lips and daffodils by my windowsill… New love, new hugs, no weeds / I pull out the thorns and let the breeze carry them away,” croons NoMBe, replacing the past’s burdens with something fresh and liberating.

      “It’s true that my relationship while writing had been deteriorating for a while, hence all the floral and seasonal imagery,” he adds.

      At its core, “Nu Lova” acts as a rebound anthem, adorned in sparkle and shine – playful, soulful, and self-aware. NoMBe acknowledges the impermanence and chaos of post-breakup love; he embraces it instead, welcoming the thrill of quick infatuations and the comfort of new companionship. The narrative unfolds as one of liberation – letting go of the past to embrace the present, no matter how ephemeral it may be.

      As the seasons shift, just like lovers

      Just like days of the week (baby)

      Friday night you bid farewell

      But then I jumped

      Straight into Saturday and fell in love once more

      The chorus, delivered in exquisite falsetto, adds a luminous quality – soaring as he sings, “New, new, my new, new, new lover / Let me introduce you to my new, new, brand new, boo and lover.” His voice radiates a bright, effortless, bubbly essence that encapsulates those early, thrilling emotions. The repetition feels both like a celebration and an invocation, manifesting the next chapter. “Friday night you said goodbye / But then I went straight into Saturday and fell in love again,” he sings, with a playful and self-aware tone. The heart moves on, regardless of our readiness.

      “The twist of ‘Nu Lova’ is that the ‘new’ person I fell for turned into quite a tumultuous situationship,” NoMBe confesses. “When that ended, the song somehow transformed into one about my now-wife. It’s fascinating how songs can continually evolve in that fashion.”

      He recalls the moment the music fell into place: “Sonically, it commenced in Hawai’i, where I lived and practiced bass. I had an idea for that chord progression that came together effortlessly. I remember feeling anxious and ecstatic because I discovered ‘that thing.’ It’s a rare occurrence.”

      This song also marked a significant creative breakthrough for him. “I chose this track because it was the first complete demo that felt like, ‘this is my path forward.’ It resonated so well, and I knew I needed to develop more from it, whatever form that might take. It encapsulated my vision perfectly.” This vision weaves throughout Diáspora – a vast, celebratory exploration of identity, heritage, and personal development.

      NoMBe