Ama is a 21-year-old Sri Lankan/Australian independent artist and she recently released her debut single, “Love Online”, which is a track that doubles as an emotional journey into the world of online dating, and the dark alt-pop/indie production is the perfect backdrop for Ama’s powerful vocals throughout its 3-minutes and 14-second runtime.
Ama tells Eat This Musi that she has always felt a strong connection to music and its ability to express emotions. She found that writing music was the first outlet where she could truly be herself and not feel judged. Ama believes that music is a universal language that can be interpreted differently by each listener, and finds it beautiful that no matter what she creates, there will always be someone who connects with the story she tells through her music.
“Songwriting is essentially its own language,” Ama says, “and it’s so beautiful to think that no matter what you create, there will always be at least one person that connects with the story you’re trying to tell (even if it’s just you hahah).”
“When I started writing music, it was the first outlet where I felt like I could truly be myself and not have this overwhelming fear that I was being judged.” — Ama
However, after gaining more knowledge about the music industry and meeting inspiring individuals, she realised that the essence of music is to share what an artist loves and believes resonates with them. Ama views 2023 as the year she committed to her craft and released a song that represents her style and artistic identity. Ama adds, “Since learning more about the music industry and meeting some incredible people on the way, I started to realize that the whole point of music is to be sharing what you love and what you believe resonates with YOU as an artist.”
Ama has put forth a great deal of effort in promoting her recent release, engaging in a wide range of activities such as content creation, industry research, attending sessions, sending emails, and seeking inspiration from various sources. However, in doing so, she has found herself becoming overwhelmed and losing focus.
Ama has recognised her tendency to become fixated on her work, to the point where it affects her work-life balance, and she is hesitant to reflect on a project and potentially identify areas for improvement. As this was her first release, Ama acknowledges that she has made mistakes and gained invaluable experience that will inform her future work. She is content with the outcome of the project and looks forward to implementing the lessons learned in her next release.
“Looking back I think I’ve started to notice I have this tendency to block everything out and tunnel vision my way through whatever I’m working on at the time.” — Ama
“Love Online” is a personal reflection on Ama’s experience with online dating and the emotional turmoil she endured. The song presents a scenario where she wished to have expressed her vulnerability to a particular person after a breakup. The song initially started with an acoustic sound but eventually evolved into a dark alt-pop/indie track that emphasizes the urgency conveyed in the lyrics. While the genre of the final product was unexpected, Ama is pleased with the outcome and feels that the song would not have sounded as powerful in any other style.
The production of “Love Online” is perfectly crafted in the way Ama kicks things off with an acoustic guitar before transitioning into a dark, atmospheric sound that builds in intensity throughout the song’s journey. The instrumentals of “Love Online” complement Ama’s voice perfectly, creating a haunting soundscape that really brings the lyrics to life.
“Since I first finished the lyrics of the song, I feel like the message has always been there, and if anything, the creative process has only developed the trajectory of the story I wanted to tell,” Ama expresses about the creative process of her song. “It allowed me to dig deeper into the true meaning of my lyrics as a whole; with the production and final touches only adding to the vulnerability and further exploring how deep the subject actually is.”
Ama’s vocals are the standout element of the track, where her voice is powerful and emotive, conveying the raw emotion of the lyrics with ease. The way Ama delivers lines like “I just want to feel something real” and “I don’t want to love online” is incredibly moving, and it’s clear that she has poured her heart and soul into this track.
Initially, the most memorable part of the song was not part of the initial plan. The “love online” hook was not included in the guitar/vocal demo that was presented to her team. Rather, the chorus lyrics concluded with “But if you’re happy, I guess I’m doing fine, I guess I’m fine.” The credit for the infectious hook that has become a fan favourite goes entirely to the talented producers, “Middleman.”
“I feel like I’m so territorial of my writing so when anyone offers a different line or melody I immediately refuse and choose to stick to my original plan.” — Ama
Ama believes that her perspective on online dating is a relatable and personal experience that resonates with individuals familiar with relationships, whether through digital means or in-person. As a therapeutic medium for her, she hopes her song serves as an emotional outlet for listeners, enabling them to express their feelings and acknowledge their pain instead of suppressing it.
“Love Online” is an incredible debut single from a talented artist. Ama’s vocals are stunning, and the production perfectly captures the raw emotion of the lyrics. It’s clear that Ama is a rising star in the alt-pop/indie scene, and we can’t wait to see what she does next.
Ama expressed anticipation for her upcoming release to Eat This Music, noting that she believes it represents a lyrical progression from her previous work, specifically her debut single “Love Online.” The songwriting process came naturally to her and resulted in a beautiful melody and a chorus that is sure to resonate with her audience.
