Sung in both English and Arabic and spanning various genres, Nxdia's 'I Promise No One’s Watching' is both uplifting and entertaining.
About a minute into her debut mixtape, I Promise No One’s Watching, a line creates a significant tonal shift that lingers.
“I feel like I might give birth to something very beautiful.”
This line is a recording from a close friend of Nxdia (who uses all pronouns), recalling a cherished day spent picnicking with friends on a hill. It captures a moment of joy: “It was the first good day I’d had in a very long time.” This sentiment also reflects the essence of the album.
I Promise No One’s Watching is an eclectic work, shifting from guitar-driven tracks to genuine club hits, never settling on a single style for too long. This chaotic blend is unified by Nxdia’s distinctive voice and candid honesty, which act as the glue that connects the songs. Like many of us, Nxdia has spent her early adulthood unlearning prior experiences to develop a more authentic self.
“I don’t think anyone’s unique in how they feel. Sure, I can never share the same life experience as you, nor you with me, but I believe we’ve all felt similar emotions, especially those we might have thought were unusual or unique to us. I’m tired of that sense of isolation, apathy, that mentality of ‘you don’t owe anyone anything, it’s every man for himself.’ I want to care for people, damn it. I want to have a support system, to genuinely connect with others and truly understand one another.”
This theme resonates throughout I Promise No One’s Watching.
Take the standout track “Boy Clothes,” a catchy tune that delivers a deeper message. It opens with a low, sultry voice that implies she's doing something forbidden, but it soon becomes evident that she’s addressing a more significant taboo than infidelity.
I want his magazines, I want his video games
And I want all the other boys to call me by my name
I use his V05, I wear his aftershave
I feel fantastic and I can’t behave
In my boy clothes, boy clothes
It's enjoyable, catchy, and provides insight into her thought process.
This is also evident in “Nothing At All,” a song about blissfully acknowledging one’s lack of knowledge. “I often feel like I walk around with a massive question mark over my head that everyone else can see,” she says with laughter. It’s playful at times, yet embraces the uncertainty that comes with growing up. It’s an acceptance that understanding isn’t always necessary, and that’s perfectly okay.
I’ve been in conversations
Just wonderin’ if everyone knows something
I don’t think I keep up with you all
Just wanna feel involved, umm
Tell you something true, I’m at a loss
My brain feels like brand new, no extra cost
Mish aarfa ay haga, w dah bayyen
(Arabic for “I don’t know anything, and it’s obvious”)
I’ll be honest, I kinda love it
Oh, I know nothing at all
Throughout I Promise No One’s Watching, we jump between genres, focusing on what feels authentic and right for each moment rather than adhering to any prescribed norms.
“I love shifting between genres; it brings me a lot of joy,” she shares.
How does Nxdia manage to blend them so effectively?
“It’s all about texture; each song has its own specific feel,” she explains. “I want to explore a variety of sounds. While we can always make things sound similar, I think it’s exciting to do things my own way.”
In fact, she combines languages: “When you listen to music a lot, especially as a teenager, you notice what’s lacking and what's underrepresented. So I thought, ‘To be completely authentic, I need to include this essential part of myself,’” she elaborates. “I grew up in Cairo and moved to England when I was eight… I constantly spoke and thought in both English and Arabic.”
While this all may seem profound— and if you're in search of philosophical musings, this album certainly provides plenty—it’s also immensely enjoyable.
It's lively, dynamic, and at times unabashedly playful. I Promise No One’s Watching is an authentic reflection of Nxdia, and she encourages you to embrace your true self.
Find your identity in the lyrics and see yourself in her beautiful chaos.
And one more thing: “I want people to shake their asses because I don’t know how to, so I really need someone else to do it. I want deeply emotional ass-shaking.”
:: stream/purchase I Promise No One’s Watching here ::
:: connect with Nxdia here ::
— —
“Body on Me” – Nxdia
— — — —
Connect with N
Performed in both English and Arabic, and spanning a variety of genres, Nxdia's 'I Promise No One’s Watching' is as uplifting as it is enjoyable.