Falana has never been in a rush, consistently favouring steady growth over big breaks. Since her debut Things Fall Together in 2016, the Nigerian-Canadian artist has turned heads with her signature sound and magnetic stage presence. Blending soul, Afrobeat, and pop with global influences, her music leans into experimentation without losing its emotional core.
Even though it’s her first major release since her 2021 album Rising, Falana resists calling her time away a hiatus. “I wouldn’t necessarily say it was a hiatus,” she says. And she’s right. From touring to writing for film, Falana stayed in motion, quietly sharpening her craft.
With her latest single, she captures the ache of memory, the weight of regret, and what it means to be present. Produced by Loudaa, Nostalgia is a statement from an artist who knows exactly where she stands.
We had a chat with Falana about her time away, her creative process, and what fans can expect from her in the future.
You’ve been away from the music scene for a bit. Why did you go on a hiatus?
“So I would never say that I necessarily took a hiatus from the music scene. I think, you know, sometimes life happens and priorities may shift. For example, I was on tour. Or just writing for film and doing different types of things…but I’m excited to now have new music out.”
“You know, finding and attracting the right collaborators and visually and sonically being able to put out work that I’m very proud of,” she adds.
“So yes, for me, art and making good art sometimes is just about alignment. That’s the moment that I’m in. So I’m running with it and I’m excited to have new work out.”
How has your creative process and sound evolved since your last release?
“I feel like my sound from my last release till now is more rooted in my authenticity. I think there was a period where I was making music and experimenting and just, you know, being in the industry, and I was like, you know what? I want to feel at home when I’m on stage, and I want to feel at home when I’m creating my music.”
“The only way to do that is to just do what works for you. And I’ve always generally done that. So I think this sound reflects that, you know, playing and collaborating with really dope producers and like playing analog, organic sounds, but also playing with, um, more electronic sounds and productions, pushing in that direction,’’ she continued. “I’m also leaning into my storytelling bag cause I love telling stories with music. So even all the new music that’s coming out has a lot of that element. And all my favorite songwriters are storytellers.”
“Nostalgia” feels perfect for a comeback single. What emotions inspired this song?
“Nostalgia is perfect for a singles comeback. First of all, thank you. Nostalgia is a very special song. I even know that when I wrote it, it was actually during a low moment, when I was reflecting on music and wondering if I even wanted to keep making it. And the song is inspired by like, loss and reflecting on the past and like having regret.”
“And it’s not just like, yes, it’s about regrets with love, but regret is something that we all have to deal with, and we look back and we wish we could do something different or change. And really, there’s working through that emotion and reminiscing and becoming nostalgic, which sometimes has positive emotions and sometimes it has negative emotions, and it’s all mixed up. But yeah, that’s really what the song is about. That’s what inspired the song.”
Your music always had a blend of soul and R&B. Does “Nostalgia” continue in that direction, or is this a shift?
“My music has always blended soul and R&B, and pop, and vibes while still feeling and telling Nigerian stories. I feel like that is consistent in my music. I’ve definitely played with some of the collaborators and producers on the project. I think the thing that brings all my music home together is the stories that I tell and the soul and the emotion that I try to put into the music so that people can feel and pull out of it an experience.”
You’ve mentioned spending these days working on being present. What does that look like for you and your music?
“Yeah, I think being present is the most healing thing anybody can do. Whether you’re an artist or just living your life, being present detaches you from reflecting and regretting the past, and it detaches you from the anxiety of not knowing what is coming and the uncertainty of the future.
Being present allows you to absorb things in real time. It allows you to be grateful. I think gratitude is so powerful, and it’s something that I have to practice and learn every day. If I’m present, I can appreciate everything around me, and I think that definitely has influenced my music and even just my journey, I’m not really looking anywhere else.’’
“I’m just focused on where I am right now and being grateful for everything that is around me. So, yeah, and if you do that, you’re even more sensitive, so you write better music, to be honest.”
Is ‘Nostalgia’ a standalone single, or is it part of a bigger body of work?
“Let’s call it a first installment. I have lots of music to share, and I’m so excited to share it and to expand it. And to give it to everybody, especially my fans who have been riding and dying with me, patiently waiting for me to put on music. So I’m really excited.”
What do you think about the music scene in Nigeria, and how do you think your music fits in a space where the sound is a bit different yet rapidly evolving?
“The Nigerian music scene has room for everybody. I think you should just be yourself, do you, and celebrate with artists who are doing amazing things and enjoy their work. And then when you’re making your own work, just be authentic to who you are. I think that’s really the best place to be.
I think if you’re trying to be something that is not you, it doesn’t work. Cause people need to feel it, and they can’t feel something that has shallow roots. So yeah, I just think there’s this misconception that your authenticity might be a disadvantage, but I always think no matter what they say, it’s an advantage.
And we also live in a global world, so we know how Nigerian music has gone global. There are audiences everywhere, and people are actually looking to Nigerians to see what is happening there. And you can connect with different types of artists and different types of fans all over the world. So yeah, I think it’s, right now is the time to just hold on to your lane and just stay in your lane and just do you.”
Looking back, what would you say your 2021 version of yourself would think about your
present self?
“Wow, my 2021 version of myself would be proud of the 2025 version of myself. I feel like she would be…,” she pauses.
“She would admire my resilience.” “I like that question,” she finishes, smiling.
What can fans expect from Falana?
“Definitely new music, but one thing I’ve been missing and I’m gonna bring back is I’m gonna be on stage. I need to perform, I want to. The thing that even made me fall in love with music was actually being on stage. So yeah, I’m gonna have some one-on-one time with my fans.”
