I recently completed a round-up review based around world music, however I felt that there were so many good tracks from the scene that I wanted to create another review to showcase some of the other underground world music artists.
Review by Jane Howkins
Picture by !Noj
!Noj – Smoky Quartz
Starting this list off is Smoky Quartz, a tune created by the curiously titled !Noj, hailing from Switzerland. The song starts out with a trickling piano melody, accompanied by what sounds like a pair of tabla being played. It’s got quite a dreamy vibe, with the slow tempo being to the song’s ultimate benefit. It’s an instrumental piece, but don’t let that put you off – instead, let yourself drift away to this relaxing piece of music.
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Liotia – Normal
Liotia are an acoustic-electro duo combining a huge range of beats and soundscapes together on this distinctive sounding song. Normal is definitely one for those into their more experimental music, as the vocals having a mystical quality as they flit through the music. Unique backing effects flicker alongside the beat, with there being so much going on here that you’ll need to listen to it several times to fully appreciate everything!
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Emma Hunter – Love Is Not A Choice
Love Is Not A Choice raises the tempo of this list a little, as it’s more of a typical rock song than most of the other songs here. However, Emma Hunter also incorporates elements of Spanish and Latin music here, with the main guitar melody having something of a flamenco rhythm, creating an interesting vibe. The percussion is also used to great effect, following the guitar lines perfectly as Emma’s ethereal vocals add a textural quality to the piece.
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Sarves Thiru – Guru’s Greatness: Guru Brahma
Sarves Thiru is a singer and composer based in London who is trained in Carnatic music, bringing her skills to her latest release, Guru’s Greatness: Guru Brahma. It’s a classical piece of music that has been turned into a devotional mantra, also featuring South American elements, in the form of the brass instrumentation. This melding of cultures works surprising well, and her vocals have a soft quality that lends them well to the devotional nature of the music.
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SIKA VALMÉ – Mango
SIKA VALMÉ opens with some traditional Indian style drumming, alongside some synthy keyboard effects. The percussion is the real stand out of Mango, weaving in and out of the synths to create something that crosses the boundaries of world music into electronic pop. The chorus elevates the music with an outstanding crescendo of sounds. There is quite a bit of autotune used on the vocals, but it actually works really well here!
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Blaktrix – Shoey
Shoey is more of a typical r&b/hip-hop song, although it does have some world music elements. Blacktrix’s synth-laden strings and the beat remind me a lot of the music that comes from the Indian subcontinent, giving the track a groovy beat that is also really distinctive sounding. The vocals are rapped in a low whisper, oozing a cool sense of attitude throughout, with a different style of smooth rapping appearing later on to add a little more variety to the music.
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Clay Joule – Into The Sky
Into The Sky sounds epic from the very start, featuring a rapid percussion style that sounds like nothing I’ve ever heard before! Clay Joule has created a piece of mystical wonder on this track, as Spanish style guitar lines mix with more Eastern elements, creating something that sounds like a hymn to a whole range of gods. It won’t be for everyone, but those with a bit of patience will get a lot from this beautiful piece of music.
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BL Tha Hook Slaya – You Are My One & Only
You Are My One & Only has quite a mainstream pop/hip-hop vibe at times, but the Eastern elements are definitely still in there, showing BL Tha Hook Slaya to be an artist capable of mixing a whole range of genres together. The tempo is very upbeat, having a fast rhythm that will make you want to get up and dance straight away! It’s infectiously catchy, so don’t miss out on this epic banger!
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Cécile Naïla – Rosa Illumina
Cécile Naïla is a French musician, composer and singer who released the fabulous Rosa Illumina back in May of this year. The track sounds beautiful from the very start, as a gorgeous acoustic guitar melody runs through the song in a flowing manner. The vocals are also stunning, having a haunting beauty to them that suits the harp and guitar motifs well. Just try and listen to this without feeling something!
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