FIGHT ME is the latest release from singer/songwriter and producer, Zapho. She brings us this fresh and funky track carrying a blend of both traditional and alternative styles allowing it to appeal to a wide audience while at the same time tapping into a musically diverse niche. It is powerful in it's strong female vocals, complex instrumentation, and overall musical concept.
The track is upbeat at first with an infectious hook and clean, sultry lyrics. We are introduced to a fun track we can bop to and a character we can party with. But with ecstasy there is always a comedown. Soon, ZAPHO’s clever production introduces a more sombre undertone, and we begin to see and hear the darker, but equally as satisfying side of the track.
What does remain consistent throughout is ZAPHO's charming vocals, seductive lyrics, polished musicianship, and ability to captivate us entirely with her bold musical concept.
The song tells the story of a woman who is strong, both physically and in character. She is a hustler sitting confidently at the top of her game, respected and adored by all with money in the bank and a celebrity-like persona to uphold. She is also, more significantly, an underdog with a queer aesthetic and an LGBT influence, a character who sets herself apart from the mainstream and the traditional. FIGHT ME, like all of ZAPHO's music to date, is a song packed with musical talent, sophisticated production, and a forward-thinking and under-represented concept.
This is typical of ZAPHO's overall vibe and key to the narrative she is challenging, one song at a time. As a female songwriter and producer, ZAPHO herself is part of a minority within the Irish music scene. FIGHT ME, on another level, represents female empowerment and drives the point home that anyone can have that fighter blood in them.
The music that ZAPHO writes, produces, and performs is a manifestation of her unique artistic vision. She aims to create a movement and open up a dialogue on the topics that are often pushed aside, and she does this by packing her ideas and her musical talent into ear-tickling songs that demand our attention.
You might think that all of this focus on the concept takes away from the music itself, but in truth ZAPHO has an eye for detail that is applied to every ounce of the finished product. The music is never compromised, only complemented further by the powerful force behind it, and the result is a captivating musical experience.
Written by Aoife Chaney