As we begin to enter new portions of our lives, many people begin to venture out and stretch their canvas. Adding more colors, some vibrant and intricate. They find themselves as they proceed on this journey of life. For some, seeking out our desires and our deepest reveries in life is practically elementary. A plethora of people consider it an innate path, where we will all eventually find our sense of belonging. Where we finally discover what we have been pursuing. However, such a thing doesn’t quite move with clarity for most of us. Instead, a myriad of us seem to feel lost. We feel more out of place than anything, especially as we grow to see more of the world– we feel as though we don’t quite fit into what’s considered standard. We struggle to find what we are pursuing. Sometimes, our futures remain nebulous, our minds clouded as we begin to feel as though we don’t belong. We feel lost. Discovering our identity becomes more of a difficult task as opposed to feeling innate, and effortless. “outcast” by Alma Owren explores ideas relating to that sense of uncertainty when it comes to our identity, and pursuing our vague objectives. Elaborate lyrics like “I’m a dying foreigner” can indicate the intense feeling of doubt and abiding qualms that are sequestered deep in our hearts. The term “foreigner” depicts the idea that we feel akin to a pariah, or, as the title of the song suggests, like an outcast.
The song fades into an opening, which reminds me of something reminiscent– like a fallen memory that slowly comes to light. The sound is a blend of violins, beautiful vocals, and a guitar, that evokes pensive and reflective thoughts in the listeners as the lyrics begin to narrate an intense story that many of us share sentiment of. It’s thoughtful and stimulates vehement emotion in the listener as Alma’s voice courses through the mix of sound with such emotion and zeal. Her methodical yet touching voice emphasizes just how meaningful the lyrics are to our singer and how much significance they hold. It stirs both painstaking thought and a sympathizing perspective as we come to realize that we perhaps have shared similar feelings the song is expressing through such remarkable lyrics. As the story becomes transparent throughout the song, I can’t help but feel as though I can connect with such a sincere message. As a young adult, I witnessed others find their passions and pursue their occupations while I felt left behind. As the song suggests, I feel like an outcast. Yet, this song manages to bring me immense comfort and uplift something in me that has wilted– I’m not the only one who feels lost in such a large world. Some people feel just as lost, and exactly like an outcast.
Alma Owren, the artist behind such a sincere song, is a 19-year-old singer-songwriter, and producer. Her music combines a sense of vulnerability that can easily touch the hearts of many, along with her vivid soundscapes that encourage painstaking sentiment in her listeners who crave honesty in music– songs that can offer us a sense of belonging and reassurance where we don’t feel shapeless and unheard. Early on, Alma was a musician at heart. At four years old, she found herself exceptionally playing the violin. Music became something more than just noise. For Alma, music was her language, her source of navigation through life. It was simply her passion that burned with such intensity at such a rapid speed. As she grew up, she began to craft her sounds, expressing her sentiments in lyrics that would soon mix with her arranged sounds and create something phenomenal. “outcast” is her debut single, Alma hopes that this song can touch the hearts of those who relate, those who appreciate genuine lyrics. As the year 2025 unfolds, expect to hear more from this young and talented artist, as she has her first EP “Under the Surface” to be set out in the winter. To keep up with Alma and hear more of her ardent stories through her lyrics, follow her socials!
Written By Rosalyn Sanchez
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