Alus, of Montville, had studied classical piano and opera through her adolescence. Her grandmother was a concert violinist who studied at The Juilliard School. Her father played trumpet and drums. Of course she would accept a scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston to pursue the fine arts prowess she’d been chasing for years. But an even sweeter deal came calling.
Instead of attending the prestigious school, Alus, then 18, jumpstarted a contemporary career and signed a recording contract in 2012 with Water Music Publishing. The New York-based company has worked with Leona Lewis, LL Cool J, Trey Songz and more, and recently relocated to Nutley.
“I feel like you should follow your dreams,” she says. “I believe that if you have an opportunity in front of you why not chase it? So that’s what I did.”
Alus, now 20, has grown into one of the state’s most promising urban pop artists, releasing her debut album, a fiery 8-track EP titled “Alustrious” earlier this year. The singer currently touts a new, infectious single, “Ordinary Girl,” which is making its rounds on New York hip-hop radio.
WHAT SHE SOUNDS LIKE
Alus’s studio stuff ranges from thumping, club-ready pop to slower, R&B tunes poured over digital drum claps and layered, hip-hop beats. For a girl who can’t legally drink, much of Alus’s music is fairly sensual as she sings of desire and love. In “Relapse,” the single off “Alustrious,” she sings: “Your love is my chronic / And I can’t kick this habit / It’s you that I’m craving / and boy I gotta have it.” A bubblegum artist she is not. Late singer Aaliyah’s 2001 album, particularly its songs “We Need a Resolution” and “Rock the Boat,” are solid reference points.
But heard live, Alus has the voice of a big-time star. When she grooves to “Ordinary Girl” on her acoustic guitar and belts out a few skyscraper-high runs, those years of training are showcased. She sounds like the real deal.
WHO SHE SOUNDS LIKE
Aaliyah, Janet Jackson, Ashanti
WHY SHE MATTERS
Is there a more obvious sign of commitment to performance than an artist who runs on a treadmill — in her high heels? Alus sings in a genre where aspects of her talent can easily be glossed over. Her voice could be auto-corrected, she could lip-sync and not play an instrument and no one would think twice. They’d just lop her in with other, generic pop artists. But Alus didn’t earn that Berklee scholarship for nothing. She insists on singing live, she plays both piano and guitar beautifully and she performs like she really wants to make it in this industry.
“You’re always learning, always progressing,” she says. “It’s exhausting, but I get to do what I love.”
“Ordinary Girl” has already made it onto New York radio stations Hot 97 and Power 105.1, and is headed out to Los Angeles soon to spread her brand. The puzzle pieces feel like they’re falling into place for this budding artist.
WHERE YOU CAN SEE HER
Alus will be booking more New Jersey and New York shows before the end of the year. Stay tuned.
