“Turn Me Down” by Nisa: Self-Doubt You Can Dance To

New York based artist Nisa lets loose with “Turn Me Down,” the fourth track off her debut EP Guilt Trip. In response to a culmination of personal and global shifts, Guilt Trip meets us with an electric energy and proves a powerful introduction to Nisa’s artistry. 

“Turn Me Down” is an infectiously danceable song. With a biting guitar, Nisa harnesses the 90’s indie-rock sound of Liz Phair with all of her unrestrained individuality. The cadence tells a story, picking up speed and distortion slowly before pulling back, and repeating until reaching an uproarious final chorus. She conveys the inner frequency of social anxiety by matching it sonically.

Nisa sings in conversation with herself, working through the push/pull of deciding whether or not to stay at a party or leave.  

“It’s getting late, but you’re my ride” 

This decision may sound trivial, but pressures to be social can make this feel more complicated than it is. Deciding whether to stay or go, whether it be a party, a job, a relationship, can be very hard to wade through. The added expectations that we put on ourselves and that we collect from others, add to the anxiety of making that “simple” choice. 

“If we leave the party If we leave

Promise me you won’t try to turn around

Tempted by the offer, we can go sit at the diner

If you want, you can turn me down”

She’s giving herself options, but knows what she’d rather do. “Turn Me Down” expands on that feeling of not being sure what to expect of yourself, and trying to have dialogue with yourself that may end up failing. It’s a specific feeling I don’t hear much reflected in songs about social anxiety, and I love the way Nisa takes it on. The way you speak to yourself is so important, and I can really relate to the ways Nisa expresses her internal struggle with her introversion, and the pressures she faces in her social life. 

“How long should I wait, while you make the rounds

They all wanna see you out

If I matched your pace, I’d never meet the ground

I’m a tall disgrace for wanting to hide in the crowd”

The song is a true “jam,” and better yet, a relatable one! In listening to her EP, it is clear that Nisa expertly knows how to move through different expressions and moods while keeping with a very strong and self assured sound. I am truly wowed and excited to follow her journey as an artist, and will be promptly leaving my keyboard to take my hair down and dance around my room to “Turn Me Down.”