Rising singer Saleka has released her latest song, “Save Me,” marking the second single from the soundtrack of the upcoming film Trap, officially titled Lady Raven (Original Music from the Motion Picture Trap). The soundtrack is set to be released on August 2 via Columbia Records. On this R&B and rumba-infused track, Saleka explores the turmoil of being drawn to a toxic relationship. “Come save me from myself / He only tells me lies / And no good for my health / But I still want him,” she sings. This release follows her previous single, “Release,” which came out in June. The Lady Raven soundtrack will also feature contributions from artists Kid Cudi, Russ, and Amaarae.
In addition to leading the soundtrack, Saleka stars as Lady Raven, a fictional singer, in Trap, a film directed by her father, M. Night Shyamalan. She describes the dual nature of the soundtrack, aiming to create an album that not only stands on its own but also complements the specific scenes it was crafted for. “There’s a duality to the soundtrack. I wanted to make an album that could stand on its own and embody the sounds and genres I love,” Saleka explains. “At the same time, every song was made for a specific scene with clear intention.”
Saleka found the process of writing for the film both freeing and inspiring. “Having the external storyline made the process so inspiring, though. I could write in a way that was incredibly free since I wasn’t thinking about myself. I ended up editing myself less and exploring facets of my own emotions that I would be too scared to dive into without having Lady Raven to speak through,” she shares.
Trap follows the story of a father, played by Josh Hartnett, and his teenage daughter, played by Ariel Donoghue, who attend a pop concert only to find themselves at the center of a dark and sinister event. Saleka, who is M. Night Shyamalan’s daughter, draws a parallel to Purple Rain, a favorite film in their household. “Film and music often go hand in hand in our culture; they are equally important in Bollywood movies,” she notes.
The concept for Trap emerged from family discussions about integrating these two art forms. “The concept for Trap came from family conversations in the kitchen about wanting to bring these two art forms together in our own way. I wrote a lot of the songs at my parent’s house in the living room. This project felt like home but allowed me to try musical ideas I never had before. It’s so pure and special to me,” Saleka adds.
Saleka released her debut album, Seance, in 2023, a project that she describes as pivotal in her musical development. “This project has some songs I wrote many years ago and some songs I just finished,” she explains. “This album helped me learn how to make music; it helped me grow up, it helped me through the low points of life, and helped me celebrate the high points.”
Trap is scheduled to hit theaters on August 2. Stream Saleka’s new song “Save Me” below and get ready for an immersive blend of music and storytelling that promises to engage audiences.
