Saima – What If [Single]

Saima, the Oslo-based R&B/Soul songstress, has dropped a gut-wrenching gem with “What If.”  Produced by Birk Lindsjørn, this sparse and emotional track is a much-needed break from everyday monotony as the gorgeous harmonies and tender lyricism paint a portrait of the true realities of love gone sour

Saima kicks off the song in the rawest way possible with, “I was clinging to the hope of us / Hope of love / But lack of trust / Was the death of us.” Here, she hits you with some tough love that we all need to hear on occasion — love can’t survive without trust. This thread is ever-present and gives a bleak and beautifully brittle emotional backdrop. In the chorus, Saima presses into the pain with the room-quieting question: “So what if we never met / Would you do this to someone else?” It’s a raw-edged view on betrayal, questioning whether her ex’s deceit is something that he has done before and will do again. 

On the bridge, “My mind was set on you / You really had me fooled / For so long…so long,” Saima gets deep into her feelings. She mourns the time wasted and the naivety exploited. This part takes the emotion of the song up a notch, hinting at just how sick she is about it all while serving up a sampling of her regret and realization.

As the final chorus hits, Saima shifts from sorrow to a powerful mix of defiance and self-empowerment. “Promise heaven / Then put them through hell,” she sings in the song’s closing moments, denouncing the false promises that led to her heartache. It’s a cathartic release, a statement of survival and strength.

Musically, “What If” thrives on a sparse arrangement that lets Saima’s honeyed vocals shine. The warm bass, mellow horns, and subtle percussion create an intimate backdrop, enhancing the song’s reflective tone. The heartache oozes through in Saima‘s beautifully controlled, emotionally driven performance. “What If” is a beautiful reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is strength and resilience to be found.

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