Concert Review: Alina Baraz- The Urban Flora- Comes To Bowery Ballroom

Alina Baraz rocked Bowery Ballroom last night and is readying to the same tonight at Music Hall of Williamsburg. The Urban Flora songstress brought some of her classics like “Drift” , “Maybe” and “Make You Feel”, of which the crowd gleefully followed word for word. Yet, it was the singer’s resonance to Aaliyah in style and sophistication that most took me aback.

I love Aaliyah, and every few years we get an artist that is called “The Next Aaliyah” because we wish we had one with her breezy charm and mysterious sensuality. Aaliyah balanced the image/vibe between being your best friend and being your girlfriend, and Baraz has done the same. First, she does the “Aaliyah” hair trick of covering half her face as if soft curls can be a curious mask. Aaliyah was known for this, and I can see why; it is an unexpected rhetorical trick. In wanting to see her more, you inch closer to Baraz and, inadvertently, pay more attention to her style and lyrics in an effort to see the face expressing them. As she sways through the stage, you would think wind was made for her to glide through with the level of sophistication and cool importance from which she carries herself. Unfortunately, people presume having an air of “importance” means arrogant, but Baraz is far from it and makes sure to repeatedly thank the adoring audience. Although she does not talk much to the crowd, she emanates warmth by waving to the audience, holding hands that reach for her, and smiling at the balcony. Honestly, it felt like a solid lesson in how to charm a crowd like a queen. She was magnetic as she slowly waved and twisted her hands throughout songs and

swindled to her sonic synths as if her own music was casting a spell on her.

Baraz music is made for the intimate moments between you and your lover. Introducing a new song called “High”, Baraz has no plan on changing the magic of Urban Flora’s synth-sensuality, but is growing it further. From “Can I” to “Unfold” , Baraz has mastered the smoothing of her vocals over electro rhythms that feel like sheets being tussled by bodies in love. “High” aims to do the same and follows suit in Baraz’s lyrical focus of the danger and dreaminess of letting someone into your heart. With a hypnotic hook and Baraz’s repetition of the words “So High”, you actually think the windy electricity of its beat is infusing into your mind. You get the feeling that Baraz sees love as a slow, drawing ,and spiritual sentiment even if it quickly sparks physicality. Thus, her performance feels like a nice chill from either the long day you had at work or the long time you had in a relationship. In addition, capping off the night with Khalid felt like the night hit its highest level of ease, loveliness, and light. Their chemistry in their new song, Electric, transitioned perfectly to the stage with both rising stars proving they are this generation’s bridge between thoughtful lyrics and music to make you bounce. For More Information On Alina Baraz Click Here.