DRAMA “Here With Me” Review: Chicago’s Soul-Electronic Duo Returns

DRAMA is Back: “Here With Me” is the Late-Night Anthem We Needed

There’s a specific kind of magic that happens when two people who shouldn’t work on paper end up clicking perfectly. For the Chicago-based duo DRAMA, that “click” has lasted nearly a decade, and their new single, “Here With Me,” feels like the culmination of everything they’ve built.

If you haven’t crossed paths with them yet, DRAMA is the result of a chance meeting between producer Na’el Shehade and vocalist Via Rosa. He brings that sharp, chic Chicago house energy; she brings a soulful, jazz-inflected vocal style that feels like it’s floating just above the beat.

The result? A sound that lives in the blurry space between a crowded dance floor and a quiet, lonely 2 AM.

The Beauty of the “Unlikely Pairing”

What makes “Here With Me” stand out is how it balances contrast. It’s got that signature Midwestern grit—a testament to how they’ve bootstrapped their career from self-released EPs to global festival stages—but it’s wrapped in a high-fashion, polished production.

Via Rosa’s delivery is the secret sauce here. You can hear her hip-hop and bossa nova influences in the way she plays with rhythm, making the lyrics feel improvisational and raw. It’s dance-pop, sure, but it has a heartbeat. It’s about the tension between heartbreak and bliss, a theme they’ve mastered over the years.

A DIY Rise to Global Anthems

You might recognize them from their massive collaboration with Gorgon City on the global hit “You’ve Done Enough,” or perhaps their work with artists like Poolside, Flight Facilities, and Jamila Woods.

But despite the big-name credits, DRAMA has always felt like a “if you know, you know” kind of act. They’ve stayed independent, mapping out their own tours and building a massive following on their own terms. “Here With Me” feels like a victory lap for that independence.

Why You Should Listen

“Here With Me” isn’t just another club track. It’s a sophisticated piece of electronic R&B that doesn’t need to scream to get your attention. It’s steady, atmospheric, and deeply catchy.

Whether you’re a long-time fan who’s been following them since their first EP or you’re just now discovering the “soul-electronic” world they’ve built, this track is a perfect entry point into why DRAMA is one of the most exciting acts coming out of the Midwest right now.