Baby Rose Tiny Desk Concert
Photo Credit: NPR
Photo Credit: NPR
"This is what real love sounds like," she shares during her performance.
“All of this shit is wearing me out,” were the opening lyrics to emerging singer Baby Rose’s emotional performance for NPR’s Tiny Desk series. After this opening line, she immediately begins performing “Sold Out” one of the standout tracks on her first album To Myselfwhich was released last year. The D.C. native is known for her unique voice that she has shared she had to get used to and grow comfortable with. Her performance is backed by a live band that assists with emphasizing her old school, vintage sound.
To Myself was a mixture of soul-inspired tracks paired with Rose’s stunning voice. When listening to the album it may be hard to separate her sound from Nina Simone’s. Her debut release accounts for the fleeting feelings of love, the messy parts of breakups and also how diminishing heartbreak can seem in the early stages. Simone, Amy Winehouse and Janis Joplin were major sources of inspirations for her when she began cultivating her voice.
Before performing a rendition of “Ragrats,” she emphasizes “I would not be able to write with such emotion about these things without my fair share of regrets.” This track further points to Rose’s exploration of the deep hole that heartbreak can leave you in. She expresses her thoughts on regretting falling for someone who ended up ultimately doing her wrong time and time again.
Up next is “Over” another distinct song from To Myself, this song is filled with texture and is also a glimpse into how she portrays a love lost. “Mortal” follows the previously mentioned song. For this rendition, she continues providing a moving performance. Before this track ends, she shouts out each member of her band and shares, “This is what real love sounds like.”
“All To Myself” was the first track many fans of Rose first heard before her debut EP dropped. The riveting track is filled with lyrics about being under the influence yet wanting to still speak with someone and spill your innermost feelings for them. The depth of her vocal range shines on this single.
Baby Rose ended 2019, her breakout year with a Grammy nomination for her contribution to Dreamville’s Revenge of the Dreamers III album. She also opened for Ari Lennox and Snoh Aalegra during their headlining tours.
Take a look at her entire NPR Tiny Desk performance here.
