Dua Saleh is Building a New World: “Flood,” Bon Iver, and the Road to ‘Of Earth & Wires’

There are artists who follow trends, and then there are artists like Dua Saleh—creators who seem to operate on a frequency the rest of us are only just starting to tune into. With the announcement of their upcoming album Of Earth & Wires (dropping May 15 via Ghostly International), Saleh isn’t just releasing a collection of songs; they’re inviting us into a complex, beautiful, and slightly chaotic ecosystem.

The lead single, “Flood,” featuring Bon Iver, is the perfect entry point. It’s a track that feels both ancient and futuristic, bridging the gap between digital experimentation and raw, human spirituality.

The Magic of “Flood”

Collaborations with Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) can sometimes feel like the guest star is overshadowing the lead, but on “Flood,” the chemistry is perfectly balanced. Executive producer Billy Lemos—the mastermind behind hits for SZA and Paris Texas—creates a sonic space that feels “frenetic” yet grounded.

Saleh’s lyricism is sharp and intentional, cutting through the atmosphere. It’s a song about renewal, and it sounds exactly like that: a cleansing wave of sound that deconstructs R&B and indie-pop before rebuilding them into something entirely new.

Why ‘Of Earth & Wires’ Matters

Saleh has always been a shapeshifter. Their music is a mirror of their own journey, and Of Earth & Wires looks to be their most personal map yet. The album promises a heavy infusion of sounds that have shaped them:

• The Roots: Faint echoes of Sudanese folk music.

• The Energy: The rhythmic backbone of UK dance and Brazilian baile funk.

• The Future: A glitchy, electronic-pop edge that keeps you on your toes.

The Essentials

• The Album: Of Earth & Wires

• The Date: May 15

• The Label: Ghostly International

• The Vibe: Warm, spiritual, and beautifully unpredictable.

The Verdict

In an era where “pop” can sometimes feel manufactured, Dua Saleh is a breath of fresh air. They are taking the pieces of their identity—Sudanese heritage, queer identity, and a love for global dance music—and threading them together with “Earth and Wire.”

If “Flood” and the companion single “Glow” are any indication, May 15 can’t come soon enough.