BABA Waxes Lyrically on Self-Preservation with New Single “Keep You Safe”

By Hannah Quearney

A white feather, a lit candle, burnt sage — BABA concocts a witches brew for autonomy and radical acceptance, the ultimate act of self-care. The second single from Dublin neo-soul trendsetter BABA is reminiscent of a simpler time. Her saccharine doo-wop vocals lift and grace down over the chillest of old-school instrumentals, offering the advice that her inner child craves.

Brimming with forgiveness, “Keep You Safe” honours the “If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell can you love anybody else?” mantra while being conscious of the needs of the songwriter’s younger self. She steers away from girlboss-isms in favour of a practice that is inclusive and restorative.

She says, “Growing up, I was always at war with myself and that’s a dangerous place to be. As a woman, there were always conditions to my existence. We are always too fat, too skinny, too loud, too quiet.” The songwriter notes a sobering reality for many young women: “If you are female in a minority group, that scrutiny intensifies tenfold.”

These universal truths prefaced with the track’s hushed slickness makes for delicious listening — its crisp snares and retro keyboards to BABA’s own coven of backing vocalists that bring everything to fruition. The sentiment is clear: your body is your home, so why break those walls down?

Listen to “Keep You Safe” below: