Dua Saleh's Album: Ambitious Ideas, Underbaked Sound

The second album by Sudanese-American artist Dua Saleh, titled "Of Earth and Wires," navigates profound themes including climate collapse, artificial intelligence, and the civil war in Sudan. This post-apocalyptic sequel builds upon the fictional queer romance established in their debut record. The opening track, "5 Days," is a powerful blend of poetry, rap, and vocals, showcasing real emotional depth and promising an intense listening experience.

However, the album, as a whole, adopts a more cautious approach than its urgent subject matter might suggest. Tracks offer brief explorations of narrative, such as the Sudanese proverb on "I Do, I Do" or the biblical imagery in "Flood." While "Firestorm" attempts a love song against the backdrop of Los Angeles fires, it lacks the visceral heat suggested by its theme. The album concludes with "All Is Love," a choral piece aiming for heartfelt hope, but the underlying high stakes are not fully realized, limiting its impact.