If you haven’t heard of singer-songwriter Yasmin, hopefully you’ll be familiar with the artist soon. A rising star in the New Jersey music scene, she began making music at the age of 19 and gradually gained herself a fanbase on social media, where she shared some of her early work including “Shine Like This,” “Fool Ish,” and “Too Good” some years ago.
Fast forward today, Yasmin has unveiled her latest EP aptly titled Daylight/Savings with four carefully crafted songs. Heavily inspired by the singer’s personal experiences, the project offers an intimate listening experience where Yasmin’s honey-drenched vocals can be heard on standout cuts such as “Golden” and “Amor Inmenso.” The EP serves as a well-awaited follow-up to 2019’s Of Love and Death, which garnered a lot of praise upon its release. Yasmin is gradually carving out a catalog of tunes that any R&B lover can appreciate.
For our latest interview, we sat down with Yasmin to discuss maneuvering through the pandemic, her new EP, and music influences as of late. Check it out below!
When did you realize that you wanted to create music?
I was a very musical child but not the type that was taking lessons and stuff. Just sang on my own time, banged on desks, joined the chorus. I realized I wanted to record music in 2014 after writing a few really fire verses in my opinion, I started rapping at first. I loved the wordplay and the braggadocios nature of it and then I was like “wait, I should totally start singing some of this stuff.”
Obviously, the pandemic changed the way a lot of people move creatively. What are some of the biggest changes you’ve experienced since?
The biggest change since the pandemic has to be the mandatory mask. It’s wild to think we really weren’t wearing these just a year and a half ago. Honestly, though, I’ve realized how on certain occasions it probably should’ve been enforced sooner. Like the bus or train where we were always so close next to each other sneezing and coughing. Creatively all it changed for me was going out and networking and freely being able to host little shows and events for my Loverz and I.
How would you describe your approach to music? And, would you say that your songs are like personal memoirs but in music form?
My approach to music is genuine and raw. I like to go with what I hear first and I stop writing when I stop hearing words in my head. Then I’ll revisit and keep going. Some beats move me entirely to the point that it takes me months even years to finally be able to approach them properly. But I make note of those ones and tell my producers like hey this one is mine, I haven’t written to it yet but it’s mine! Also, of course, I’m an R&B singer but I don’t like to limit myself when it comes to genre, I like to tackle sounds according to my mood.
What was the creative process like when working on your new EP and how did your affinity for storytelling play a role in shaping the music?
My new EP consists of three previously released songs “Golden,” “Sunny Days,” “Slow,” and one brand new song “Amor Inmenso” I hadn’t shared the old ones on DSPs yet and thought I should polish them and pack them up to release together since they all gave me a similar feeling of hope and radiance. I finished up “Amor Inmenso” and realized it fit in so well with the other three.
Usually, the story comes after the music. That’s why I like to approach it all based on how I’m feeling because then I take a step back, reflect on the music and I’m able to make sense of it all. I named it Daylight/Savings because of the natural light I’m sharing through the music and the fact that I had been saving such great songs.
What do you learn about yourself as an artist and musician when recording and making new music?
Well for starters, I have a lot of learning to do. I realize that every time I step into the booth. I’m currently searching for singing lessons and art hobby classes just to sharpen up creatively and get my brain buzzing. I also realize how much I’m truly meant to make music and how it really does pour out whenever I open up and allow myself to create. Feels good.
I cry sometimes when writing or recording or even listening back. And depending on the song it’s usually a very happy cry because I’m grateful that God granted me this form of expression. I’m working on sharing more of myself as an artist because what good is all of this emotion and clarity if I’m not sharing it with the world?
Tell us a bit about the inspiration behind “Amor Inmenso,” the record comes together so beautifully from the instruments to your vocals.
“Amor Inmenso” is truly one of my favorite songs! I had a beat session with TLP Lee where he was just playing me a whole bunch of new Later People sounds and I was like “Woah that one!” The first thing that came to me was the hook and I couldn’t stop singing it for weeks. I had a flow for a verse but I wasn’t really feeling it as much as I felt the hook so I decided to bring on Champagne Denim as a writer to help me figure that out. It was my first time writing with someone else and we bounced off of each other really well.
What artists or genres have you been listening to lately? How have they influenced your recent and even unreleased music?
Lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of the music my friends make! DeMeir, Nina Tech, Serena Isioma, Naja Young. They truly inspire me to stay true to myself and to continue experimenting at the same time. I’m grateful to know such amazing artists! I’ve also been listening to Pinkpantheress and Wild Side by Normani is my favorite song rn. I’m always down to listen to some Partynextdoor or Frank Ocean. Oh, and of course Daylight/Savings is on repeat!
If you enjoyed our chat with Yasmin, check out our interview with music trio Your Grandparents!
