Dua Saleh's Of Earth & Wires feels intimate and universal

Inspired by world uncertainty, on Of Earth & Wires Saleh imagines a world where society has collapsed and people are forced to reconnect with the Earth. Through this, Saleh reflects on the scarily real reality of the world we live in today.

The opening track, "5 Days", introduces the album’s slightly dystopian tones. Beginning with raw strings, it sets up the Sudanese music elements that run through the album. Following this, chaotic sounding drums draw in, making the contrast between softness and disorder reflecting the uncertainty that this album represents. This feeling becomes even more prominent in "Breathe", where uncertainty is reflected through constant questions within the lyrics. The repeated sense of doubt and searching mirrors feelings of anxiety and vulnerability, by leaving many of these questions unanswered Saleh captures the uncertainty of modern life and the difficulty of finding clarity in an increasingly unpredictable world.

The album has a quirky, unique sound, which completely sets it apart from any expectations. The production feels slightly unpolished but intentionally textured and emotional, allowing every instrumental choice to carry a certain feeling. Saleh’s use of Sudanese influences becomes especially powerful because it feels rooted in grieving and belonging as well a portrayal of fond nostalgia.

“As a Sudanese-American, I often feel as though my world has already begun collapsing as a result of the ongoing conflict in the region.” This perspective gives the album emotional weight, grounding its dystopian themes in real experiences of loss and instability. Saleh also explains, “If my world were to disappear, I would bring it back to life with aspects of home. For me, this means bringing in elements of sound that feel like home.”

"Flood" is a personal favourite, a cathartic melody with Bon Iver's softness perfectly complimenting the idea of letting go and trying to discover peace, but equally the elements of pain and fragility in his vocals, keep a sense of emotional reality at the forefront of the listeners mind. Saleh juxtaposes grief with rebirth in the line “this grief inside me growlin’ at the Earth” before later admitting to feeling “the pleasure seedin’ in me at rebirth,” presenting healing as a gradual notion. The imagery of “koi fishes swimmin’ in a pond” and the relationship once being “like yin and yang” introduces balance and harmony for emotional connection that has been lost. However, the line "don’t drown in worries, let it go, wash away,” shifts the song towards acceptance, suggesting that survival depends on surrendering to emotion rather than resisting it. These lyrics make The Flood feel intimate and universal, capturing the painful but necessary process of emotional transformation.