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AUDIO Zara Hedderman Mike McGrath-Bryan Michael K
iwanuka Kiwanuka [Polydor] Cate le Bon & Bradford Cox Myths 004 [Mexican Summer] When London-born Michael Kiwanuka entered the music industry – having supported Adele on her 2011 tour and beating Frank Ocean to be named BBC Sound of 2012 – he became the protagonist in the stories we hear about the commercially-driven, behind the curtain aspects of that world which you hope are false. He was told to change his name (‘Why don’t you adopt a mononymous persona?” suggested one A&R figure) which would hinder Kiwanuka’s already struggling self-confidence in the early stage of his career as a recording artist. Working once again with the production team of Danger Mouse and Inflo, Kiwanuka is a celestial universe populated with sophisticated David Axelrod-inspired arrangements featuring elegant strings and spiky guitar parts (see: Hero). There are moments (Living In Denial) where distorted effects on vocal harmonies conjure the late Richard Swift. At 51 minutes, Kiwanuka captivates the listener by diversifying song structures with minute-long intros and interludes as well as expansive compositions that take on several forms, as showcased in Hard To Say Goodbye. Lyrically, the singer is focused on reclaiming his identity; “I won’t change my name / No matter what they call me,” he sings defiantly on Hero. On that track, Kiwanuka also remembers Fred Hampton, a Black Panther member murdered in 1969. Therefore, firmly rooting this record as one that is a celebration of history, both personal and collective. ZH Like this? Try these: Richard Swift - Walt Wolfman Danger Mouse & Karen O - Lux Prima Charles Bradley - Changes There are a myriad of reasons why Bradford Cox of Deerhunter and Cate le Bon joining forces for Mexican Summer’s Myths EP series (alumni include Weyes Blood’s collaboration with Ariel Pink) would cause a frenzy of excitement. Primarily, they released some of 2019’s finest records under their respective guises. Over 25 minutes, le Bon and Cox create jangly, sprawling, ethereal, fun, and heartfelt arrangements; sometimes all at once in the case of both Secretary and Constance. Myths 004 showcases a perfect melding of the pair’s musical sensibilities. ZH Jogging Whole Heart [Out on a Limb] Having quietly underpinned the great noughties post-hardcore/math-rock/etc. rush that’s now making its way into the realm of hushed tones and musical myth-making, power-trio Jogging’s return from hiatus sees them picking up in the here and now. A more focused noise-making unit, while retaining the joyous trading of vocal barbs and lyrical flourishes that made them so recognisable. Jogging in 2019 is a no-nonsense proposition, and Whole Heart follows suit, raw and limber throughout. MMGB Numbertheory Horrible [SESHFM] Maija Sofia Bath Time [TRAPPED Animal/Cargo] Corkman James O’Connell has been at the music a good while now, and while his proximity to Humans of the Sesh/SESHFM and frequent DJing around the country have provided a solid body of work, his production chops have been slept on over the years. Debut extended-player Horrible sees local metal vocalists drafted in to ratchet up the dread on O’Connell’s understated beatwork on a pair of new tunes, while remixes from Fomorian Vein and Cnámha move matters into more kinetic, if similarly restrained, territory. MMGB Shining a light on the accomplishments (and subsequent erasures) of women throughout history, via the odd inspirations and turns that strike one in their most personal of daily downtime, Galway balladeer Maija Sofia’s debut long-player treads a careful and distinct line between whimsy and respect throughout. In the process, she nimbly traverses folk, punk and dream-pop with a storyteller’s sense of the intangible, as best heard on The Wife of Michael Cleary and Edie Sedgwick, koans in equal to suffering, longing and remembrance. (See Sound p78). MMGB CLICK IT OUT… 82 We know it and so should you food, fashion, photography, film, books, magazines, music, design, drink and a curated section of events for you to consider www.totallydublin.ie