Immersing us with strings and keys, Umay opens their innovative new release, Remember Me, with the vulnerable lyrics “Yesterday, it seemed my life was just beginning, today, you sailed away…”
This is the first release from a two-act musical that Umay is creating. The musical is a retelling of two medieval texts, Beowulf and Gesta Danorum.
‘Remember Me’ is the emotional ending to Act 1 as the Danish princess Freawaru laments having to give up her newfound love and happiness in order to perform her royal duties as a peaceweaver.
We love the clarity of Umay’s voice and the enchanting nature of the production, particularly the bright bells which are really mesmerizing.
Some lyrical highlights include the introspective and optimistic “life goes on and on, seasons change, people come and go…” and “there’s much greatness in store for you, and you’ll make them proud when you wear the crown…”
Speaking on the creation, Umay says, “I wanted to focus on the characters that rarely get a chance to speak and bring them to the foreground. The characters who are not superhuman, the regular folk who celebrate the heroes but who have the unfortunate curse of living through interesting times and yet still try to lead recognisably “normal” lives.”
Freawaru is one such character who is aware that ‘History Favours the Brave’ and in a culture where being forgotten is the scariest fate imaginable, in her final song of Act 1 she asks Beowulf to remember her as both go their separate ways after a small window in time when Heorot was safe and joyful once again, when their paths briefly crossed. As Beowulf sets off for home, Freawaru prepares to sail away from her home to be wed to the prince of the Heathobards to ensure peace among their two nations.”
Speaking on her influences, Umay cites, “musical theatre, Lin Manuel Miranda, Anaïs Mitchell, Eddie Perfect, Andrew Lloyd Weber Popular music: Taylor Swift, Loreena McKennit and ABBA”, which we can feel come through this this piece!
We love Umay‘s passion and can’t wait to experience the second instalment, meanwhile, Remember Me has been added to our New Music Spotlight playlist!