When it comes to R&B talent in Canada, Aqyila is a name that cannot be overlooked. Among the likes of Savannah Ré, Dylan Sinclair, and CHXRRY22, Aqyila's presence has transcended borders, bringing a fresh sound to the genre that feels both intimate and expansive.
Press play on her debut album Falling Into Place, and you're immediately transported. The opening track, "Give Me More," sets an ethereal tone that carries throughout the 11-track project. Featuring two of her viral singles, "Bloom" and "Focus," alongside the previously released "Wolf" and "Limbo," the album maintains a gentle yet intentional flow. "The entire album is a seamless flow of positive emotions," Aqyila explains. Threading through themes of heartbreak, self-love, longing, and empowerment, Falling Into Place showcases a sonically and lyrically evolved artist, one who has grown significantly since her previous EP and early releases.
We caught up with Aqyila to discuss the creation of the album, what it means to go viral, her approach to live performance, and what's next.
Having put out your debut album, what about this was different compared to your last EP, For The Better?
Making the EP, I still didn't know what I wanted to really share with people, what I wanted to say in the music or how I wanted it to make people feel. At first, it was really going off vibes. However, with this album, I was very intentional with the songs I picked. I knew I wanted songs that I actually love, which I won't get tired of performing. It feels like an easy listen from top to bottom. I'm somebody who listens to other people's music and critiques it, so I wanted to make sure that when people listen to this, they're going to enjoy it from beginning to end. It's a nice Sunday-type album, you can play it while cleaning your house, when you're in a good mood, or when you have friends over.
You open the album with “Give Me More,” which sets the tone for the rest of the album. How did you select that song to be the one to start the album with?
I created that one on my first and only trip to Atlanta. During my session, when we were working on the song and the producer was adding in birds and all those different layers, including the strings, I had already told my A&R that this song would be opening the album. I’m a huge fan of high-quality production and incorporating texture and other elements into it. I want actual movement in the song as it progresses, especially when it starts to build. So I really loved that intro.
In terms of the production of the album and that aspect of things, what was the intentionality in the process of what you wanted it to sound like and what you wanted that to be?
I wanted people not only to hear the words but also to feel the emotion that I’m putting into the mic. “Give Me More” makes me want to melt, especially with that riff right before the hook; it’s just so pretty and soft. That’s how I felt when I was singing in the studio, and every time I sing it, I’m just smiling. The entire album is a seamless flow of positive emotions. You do have songs where I’m talking about heartbreak, like doubt and questioning things, as seen in “You Got Comfortable,” which, for me, I knew was going to be an interlude on the album. That one came about in a session that was not even supposed to be a session. So a lot of the album went with what I was feeling and how I wanted it to paint a rounded picture in terms of its sound.
How did you find the process of making this album compared to your first EP?
When I made my EP, it was my first body of work in general. And when you’re in the studio, especially in the early days, you’re going to be a bit more shy because it’s a new environment for you. You may not always feel comfortable speaking up and sharing your feelings about certain things. However, for the album, from then and now, I’m much more confident in my voice, what I want, and how I feel about things. Like, if I feel we’re sitting on something and it’s taking too long to come up with an idea, or I don’t feel strong about it, I say, let’s start something different. My confidence has grown significantly. My lyricism, as well as my singing style, has evolved even further, which is amazing. I’m able to project my voice much more, which helps when working with vocal coaches and when learning to practice and train my voice effectively. The process of using my voice more effectively and growing in my ability to create the album was truly beautiful. I really enjoyed creating the album.
And even though you yourself have grown from the EP to this time in making the album, what would you say have been the growth moments you’ve experienced personally?
I’ve trusted myself more, which has led to significant improvement, and I’ve become less preoccupied with my thoughts, allowing me to take action more easily. On this album, what also helped was having a creative director. I worked with Priya Minhas; she’s from the UK, and she’s amazing. She worked on the album and did an incredible job of helping me curate a vision into a tangible, physical form. Seeing my art take physical form has made me think about what I envision conceptually for the next one. Seeing more of my creative ideas come to life has made me more aware of what I can actually do and less afraid to put things out there.
The creativity of the album is very strong throughout—from the artwork and aesthetic to the incorporation of birds and flowers and everything we’ve seen so far. Was that something that came as you were making the music, or was that something that you thought of later in how you wanted to represent the album as a whole?
It was definitely after the fact when I could see where it was going. I knew for sure I was very much into the whole feminine goddess feel, that Grecian vibe. That’s why in “Soar,” when I see that visual, I have a really flowy dress, looking very soft and feminine. Those elements were ones we wanted to lean into because a lot of the music felt very lush and goddess-like. That was definitely a theme we wanted to tap into, just from the essence and feel of the album and what the music sounded like.
How do you find your creative inspiration? Where would that process start for you?
I create numerous Pinterest boards for content ideas, styling, and various other purposes—even outside of music. That’s where it tends to begin for me in any aspect. And that’s how my whole journey started. I went to Pinterest, downloaded the images, and added them to my vision board. I use it to get a feel for a world that I really want this project to live in and then build it from there.
How do you find your musical inspiration in relation to the different types of music that you listen to or even may want to incorporate into your own music?
I listen to a wide range of music all the time, and for me, it’s more about the feeling I connect with. For example, when I listen to someone like Jhené Aiko, I love the way this makes me feel. It’s very soft, very sweet, and introspective. That might be something I want to do, but it’s not necessarily the sound that I’m hearing. It’s more about the feeling, and that’s when I’ll get inspired. Then I’ll pick up my mic and start recording and writing on a beat or something at home. Additionally, when I’m in sessions with other writers, I can always take something from what they bring out, and that might inspire something within myself. Also, traveling is one of my favorite experiences.
Having gone through the experiences and process of making the album, how would you describe the space that you’re in now? What would you say is your current space?
I am continuously evolving and growing. I recall being extremely nervous in my early days about performing, giving interviews, and interacting with people. However, right now, I’m just evolving and learning. Even now, when I think about something like social media—which is the one thing I am trying to tackle—it’s so interesting because people ask me, “How did you make your songs go viral three times?” I don’t know; I wish I knew. I was sitting in front of my camera, putting the lyrics on the screen, and somehow, it just connected. But then I’m also balancing that feeling—thinking that every time I post, this one’s going to be the one that goes viral—because then I start not to enjoy social media. So it’s just staying connected to the feeling of loving these songs no matter what. And if it’s going to connect with somebody, that is the goal. If it connects with hundreds of thousands of people, that’s even better. But my music ends up finding the right people anyway.
What can we expect from the live show?
I’m excited to build the flow of the setlist, especially with a live band—like drums and guitar—and really be able to sing all of these songs live. It’s great because it’s also really R&B, so I can get really soulful with it now. What I love about live shows, too, is that it’s an artistic way to take a different approach to the song. So it’s not the same. Maybe there’s a sick step-up in the song, or there’s a key change, or, you know what I mean, things like that. Those types of elements—other songs, they blend other stuff—yeah, stuff like that. That’s my vibe.
For anyone whose first introduction to you might be through listening to this album, what do you want them to take away from this album and who you are right now?
The title itself, Falling Into Place, suggests that we’re all on our own journeys, and we don’t have all the pieces of the puzzle like life. Oftentimes, we take a turn and do something different. The songs on there are really relatable. There is relationship content on there, and there are moments that promote self-love. And then you’ve got the moments about love. Overall, these are excellent moods that people feel, much like human emotions, which can evoke a range of different feelings.
What are you most looking forward to in terms of the next chapter of Aqyila’s journey?
Creating more music, performing it, and making new connections in life—whether with friends, artists, songwriters, producers, and so on. I want to build a really strong sense of community around me with people who just vibe—vibe with the music, come out to the shows, and want to do the meet and greets. Things like that are my next goal: to really build that.
