Photos by Ava Bozic
Say She She embodies fabulousness — pairing space-age glamour with perfectly polished vocals and impeccably layered harmonies. Formed by classically trained singers — Piya Malik, Sabrina Cunningham, and Nya Brown — in Brooklyn, New York, they exude an excellence and passion for their craft that you don’t often encounter. My love of Say She She started with discovering “Forget Me Not” a couple of years ago. Instantly, their unique vocal stylings, harmonies, and three prominent female voices entranced me. I was thrilled at the prospect of witnessing their talents live. Prior to researching the band, I was under the impression that they were all English because of the origins of their British singer, Piya Malik, paired with their bold Alexander McQueen-esque style. Their space-age sound alongside bold silhouettes in fashion feels reminiscent of David Bowie — including their synchronous posing and leaning from side to side as if modeling for a futuristic editorial shoot.
Seeing Say She She live exceeded my already high expectations. First and foremost, the band maintains a great aesthetic and impeccable fashion choices, which is something I always notice and appreciate. All sporting a patent leather heeled shoe of a different variety, and a structured blazer with different patterns, they felt cohesive yet individual.
Despite my initial connection of their sound to Bowie, the band’s origins tie more closely to disco music. Their name, Say She She, derives from the French phrase “C’est chi-chi!” meaning “It’s chic” and is an ode to the band CHIC and their second album C’est Chic. Their status in part is due to the band’s co-founder, the legendary guitarist Nile Rodgers, whom Say She She has acknowledged as a major bonding point in their formation as a band. Say She She’s cheeky nod to their influences, alongside their own personal expressions, creates a band that is elegant, polished, and strong in their power. CHIC’s 1978 hit song “Le Freak” — which lives on today as a pillar of disco music — inspired Say She She’s sound and lyricism in “C’est Si Bon,” whose lyrics say:
C’est si bon // It’s so good
C’est chi-chi // It’s Chi-Chi (chic)
C’est trop chou // It’s so cute
C’est chi-chi // It’s Chi-Chi (chic)
Ça c’est chaud // That's hot!
C’est pas grave // It's all good!
C’est chouette! // It’s cool!
C’est chouette! // It’s cool!
The band often sprinkles worldly references in their lyricism, singing in Italian, French, and Hindi, positioning them as sophisticated, cultured, and educated — a refreshing approach that really makes them stand out. Their song “Blow My Mind,” features Hindi, an homage to singer Piya Malik’s upbringing in London, raised by an Indian mother and South Asian father:
Aaja, Aaja, Aaja // Come, come, come
Oh Aaja, Aaja mere sonia // Oh come, come, my darling
A standout was “Disco Life” off their latest album Cut & Rewind, primarily because of the repeating heavenly:
Casta Diva // Divine woman
Viva la Ripresa! // Long live the revival!
These lyrics are in Italian, and the sentiment is praising a goddess and requesting an encore of sorts. I can’t help but imagine that these lyrics are an homage and a tribute to the divas — the bold and larger-than-life women — in music that brought energy and charisma into song, inspiring generations of young women. A tribute to opera, disco, and soul in song form. It’s quite the dramatic, operatic flair that Say She She brings. Their sound radiates a strong feminine power that draws you in and keeps you listening.
I would describe the Say She She Experience as alien-esque, like cosmic, psychedelic, witchy, music sung by sirens. Sirens to entrance travelers at sea; however, in this world, they are traveling through space. Lucky for you, their recordings capture the immersiveness and transcendence of their live performance. For a prime example, listen to “Astral Plane,” one of my absolute favorites. I couldn’t recommend this band enough and will be forever excited for any new releases. For now, bask in the wondrous discography they’ve already released.
Listen to Cut & Rewind here:
