Fiona Amaka’s new single Challenges ghosting culture on latest release, “Cowards and Shadows,” arrives today as a poignant soulful commentary that reflects the ghosting culture we all too often experience, living in shadows modern life has come to accept. Recorded in London with producer and guitarist Andy Zanini, the song follows Amaka’s first release of the year thus far, and keeps up her 2025 pace.
The conversations about ghosting, a topic once discussed exclusively in the context of romance, but now extending to job searches, friendships, and even the bagels you might buy from a place run by an algorithm, have exposed how it seeps into general life. Fiona alchemized this collective grief into a seductive melody, trying out bits and pieces at acoustic open mics from the very start. The reaction from the audience was instantaneous, the sentiments cut deep, and Fiona found it hard to resist taking a moment in that last beautiful chunk of tragedy/love song to express her dissatisfaction with everyone.
“Cowards and Shadows” layers Amaka’s soothing vocals with Zanini’s smooth guitar work to create a sound that is simultaneously distant and familiar. There’s openness at the center of the track, a tender honesty that captures that feeling of grief we all get when confronted with emotional absence. It’s the type of song that sounds like it is directly addressing its listener, pulling them into an emotional ballpark where we’re all on the same team.
Fiona Amaka's “Cowards and Shadows” is a standout in her burgeoning body of work. This song captures the moment while also defying it, offering social commentary through a personal narrative.
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