Single Review: "Love Online" by Ama

Released: April 12, 2023

TL;DR: I had to wait fifteen extra hours for this debut single because of the time difference. It was worth it.

Editor's note: I'm finally back after a five-month absence! Work, school, and a little bit of traveling kept me well-occupied during that time. Now that the academic year is over, I hope to post reviews frequently again!

Links

Ama's Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amasayshi?_t=8cW9cgH5pyk&_r=1

Ama's Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0J6UkpMhQCMyOtQZSmbQNl?si=H4YPCdrMT2WW1GBnLXB4pA

If you've followed this blog for any length of time, you'll notice I repeatedly emphasize the importance of supporting independent music. There's nothing wrong with liking popular songs. However, it's people like Ama, a talented young pop/R&B singer-songwriter from Sydney, Australia, who benefit most from reviews or repeated streams. With "Love Online", she emphatically announces her presence with what can only be described as a slightly depressing bop. It's a brilliant reflection on the disarray in today's dating world that will be relatable to many.

Let's start with the production, which is my least favorite part of the track. However, don't take this as a criticism: while I'm not a huge fan of some of the electronic elements used here, they provide atmosphere to support the acoustic background. One thing I really enjoyed was the use of the Apple iPhone "typing" sound as hi-hat percussion. This is a touch that will go unnoticed by many listeners, but given the subject matter, it was a very creative addition. Overall, the restrained nature of the instrumentation allows Ama and her lyricism to sell the track, a wise decision.

Ama's vocals are magnificent here. I discovered her on tiktok since aroundAugust or September 2022, and she immediately impressed me with her tone, control, and naturally emotive ability. Her storyteller side really comes out here, and you can feel the misery and desperation behind every anecdote of the shortfalls of online dating and the pain of moving on from an unexpected breakup. It's very easy to sympathize with a narrator this charismatic and vulnerable, and her bluntness also makes it a relatable track. After all, who of those who have tried online dating haven't been infuriated by its meaninglessness at some point? This is a strong technical performance that shows off Ama's range, but it's the less tangible emotional aspects that really sold me on the song.

The songwriting contains some incredibly sharp one-liners. I've nodded and smiled at "what the fuck's a super like?" more times than I'd care to admit. There's also some incredible emotional depth, with sequences like "first dates, long waits/am I ever gonna be/okay enough to want to feel again? And am I ever gonna see you again?" hitting like a sledgehammer. This song is the lament of a person who's desperately looking to fill a hole in their heart, one that only the person that left them can fill. Anyone who's ever loved and lost will feel the pain that Ama expresses deeply. I can't say enough positive things about Ama's songwriting ability, and I look forward to her next poetic masterpiece.

I wouldn't call "Love Online" a perfect song, but it's an outstanding first release. Ama is well-positioned to make waves in the Australian music scene. (Since it dropped, this independently-released track has already accumulated 30,000 streams!)

Score: 8.5/10 (don't miss it)