VAYA’s ACHAIAH 7: A Spiritual Meditation on Unity in Divided Times
Canadian artist VAYA has released ACHAIAH 7, the latest in her series of songs inspired by Kabbalistic teachings. The track focuses on Achaiah, the seventh angel in the Kabbalah tradition associated with patience and divine understanding, presented through VAYA’s signature ethereal vocals and atmospheric production.
The recording process brought together an international team of collaborators. Chris Stringer at Toronto’s Union Sound Company handled initial tracking, with Stefan Loebus providing restrained drum work that anchors the track’s atmospheric quality. The production chain crossed borders, with Mike Fahey mixing in the U.S. and Grammy-winning engineer Adam Ayan completing mastering in Portland.
The newly released video, directed by VAYA herself, incorporates symbolic elements, including the recurring motif of hands – a visual representation of the song’s themes of connection and patience. Makeup and hair styling by Alchemy Center create an ethereal aesthetic, while appearances by circus performers Edio Silvio and Isadora Bello introduce physical theater elements that abstractly suggest themes of balance and unity.
This cross-border collaboration mirrors some of the themes VAYA has recently reflected upon regarding North American relations. During her Portland sessions, conversations with American colleagues revealed shared concerns about current political tensions, though the artist has carefully avoided direct commentary in her work.
VAYA has cited multiple creative inspirations for the project, including JACK WHITE’s musical approach. The artist’s experiences have informed some thematic elements of the work, particularly regarding relationships tested by external pressures.
The visual concept draws partial inspiration from Francesco Hayez’s 19th-century painting “The Kiss,” which is historically associated with themes of reconciliation. This artistic reference point connects to broader questions about unity that emerge throughout the project, though VAYA maintains a political framing focused on universal human experiences rather than specific geopolitical commentary.
While VAYA acknowledges the temptation to address current Canada-USA tensions more directly, she has consciously focused the project on universal themes of connection rather than political specifics. In private correspondence, the artist has expressed concerns about platforms potentially rejecting over political content, instead opting for subtler messaging about shared humanity.
This approach manifests in the song’s emphasis on Achaiah’s Kabbalistic attributes – patience and understanding of divine mysteries. The track avoids contemporary references, offering a meditative space that listeners might interpret through personal or collective lenses.
The release comes as VAYA continues to build her role as a supporter of emerging artists through her Canadian production initiative. While ACHAIAH 7 doesn’t represent a radical departure from her previous work, it reinforces her commitment to spiritually grounded artistry that acknowledges contemporary tensions without becoming enmeshed.
Future discussions of the work may explore these balancing acts further – how artists address division indirectly or whether spiritual frameworks can offer alternative ways to process geopolitical strains. For now, the single stands as another entry in VAYA’s evolving catalog that invites interpretation while maintaining its essential musical character.
Links:
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/vaya.vaya_am/
Website – https://vaya.am/
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@VAYA_AM12
All photos courtesy of VAYA
