Indigenous American collective Earth Surface People welcome us to their world with sophomore album, Yáágo Dootlizh.

By Graeme Smith

Feature photo by Cheyenne Weston

Eight Diné and Navajo musicians based across three states make up the collective of Earth Surface People. It feels a suitable setup given the project’s message of humanity’s oneness, no matter of origin. To deliver this message, they delve deep into our history, finding a world in which all spirits once co-existed.

Musically, their new album is a beautiful combination of soul, funk, disco, hip-hop and more. An ethereal opener, 2001, leads seamlessly into dance me outside which proves to be a punchy early statement of intent.

“None of the album was pre-determined… it was a process of bottling lightning or putting a muzzle on the wind,” says band leader Dakota Yazzie.

Not pre-determined but certainly deliberate in its execution. Yáágo Dootlizh is a journey. It’s at once fresh-sounding and timeless. There are emotional highs and lows all tied together by the band’s distinct genre-blend.

Shape of u is a highlight thanks to its electronic groove. As is we ain’t goin home which overflows with soul. An introspective middle eventually gives way to the uplifting P.a.r.r. featuring Welby June, Mato Wahuyi and Sage Nizhoni. Maiisxoii is beautifully intimate, poetic and experimental. Born For Water with Nanibaah closes things powerfully.

With reference to the album’s title, which refers to the colour blue, Dakota goes on to describe the album as “a perpetual act of blue; it’s not a stagnant state, it flows like water. Improvisation, ingenuity, limitations on creativity, limitations on resources all narrowed this process to its synthesis.”

Yáágo Dootlizh is out now, available to buy digitally on Bandcamp. You can listen to it below.