Album review : Kokoroko - Could We Be More

 Good morning/ evening/ afternoon/ grand rising music lovers a.k.a my three readers.

I hope you're all having a wonderful Christmas break and if you're not don't worry, I've got you with this next album, released earlier this year. Please feel free to listen to the album as you read along:

Introducing Kokoroko, a London-based collective consisting of 8 of some of the world's most talented musicians.  When I told my mum about them she was overjoyed as she explained in Ghana "Kokoroko describes the sound of knocking which makes sense when I think of the big part the percussions play in delivering their unique sound.

Some might describe their music as an afro-jazz/ afrobeat fusion similar to the music of the Kuti's, Vieux Diop or Fatoumata Diawara... I'd describe their music as that too, but also just pure vibey.

I have been in love with their music for a while now but annoyingly missed them live and now they're off globetrotting to perform but will defo give a blog update when I eventually do get to see them live in the UK. 

Listening to their album during my walk yesterday was an entire sensory experience. I stepped outside and it was FREEZING, I mean cold cold and as I picked what I would listen to I remember thinking "I need to pick something that makes me feel warm" and this album overdelivered. I could literally see images, short flashes of vibrant orange, green, red and royal blue in front of my eyes during tracks such as 'Ewa Inu' and 'Soul Searching'. These colours are often hand-stitched into traditional Kente cloth which is worn during celebratory ceremonies. My theory - as this has never happened before, the memory part of my brain combined with the music triggered a response of jubilation.

 I felt as if the warmth of a golden African sun was beaming on my face and chest, even in the biting -6 degrees, such was authenticity of their sound throughout the album. The traditional 3-beat count was ever-present in the album. The same count which is a bed for so many old-school Highlife, Afrobeat songs and church anthems back in the day. 'We Give Thanks' made me miss home even though I've only been to Ghana once, it made me miss my grandparents although I never met them, I felt such a strong and heartfelt connection to my homeland, a pride in my people and love for my culture. Even the slower tempo tracks such as 'Reprise' and 'Home' make you consider for a moment your roots. 

This album is sensational. Filled with moments made for laughter, dancing, jubilating, tears and deep thought. It's got a strong sense of drama (e.g.War Dance), it's got flair, it's got rhythm and it's got eight geniuses who are more than a gift. They don't even deserve to be placed under a tree, rather they're the stars, right on top and I'm excited to see more and more from them as they travel the world making art.

Merry Christmas y'all. I hope you enjoyed this one, from the bottom of my heart I appreciate everyone that reads this. Until 2023, 

Love. M

On replay: Emily King

Hellooo to my five readers. How art thee? It's been a minute! We're in Autumn, and my last blog post was in Spring.....

It's been a year, but the year is not over yet and I come bearing gifts in the spirit of my favourite season (Christmas) - and yes it is officially Christmas time now, because after October 31 Michael and Mariah both personally texted me to let me know they'd defrosted. True story.

N E wayyy, As usual I've been obsessing fixating and replaying artists and for the last couple of weeks I've been appreciating the pure artistic soul that is Emily King. 

The first time I heard her voice was probably about two years ago. I remember exactly where I was, walking home from the shops in the autumn. I was taking the short cut, an alley (with streetlights) between the trees as "Georgia" began to play on my discovery playlist. I'd heard it before as my sister had played it to me, "This is the song!" I stopped in my tracks to add it to my 'likes' on Soundcloud and listened to it over and over as I walked home. I recently rediscovered more of her music and have been replaying whole albums all of this week and last. I've now reached a point where I couldn't sleep another night without sharing her with you. So here I am, after a 10 hour shift and three hours of commuting, sitting on the edge of my bed and pouring my admiration over the keyboard.

Emily's voice has a purity and clarity which is so unique and stunning. In her songs her vocals aren't overpowering the instruments or the other way around. There's not one harmony out of place. It just sounds...perfect. Like how music was always meant to feel - and in fairness to the producer, mixed incredibly. Her mastery of lyrics in combination with her knowledge of what her voice can do, moving like silk between ranges with ease is *chefs kiss*.

She plays with international sounds and different genres but still keeps them her. From upbeat songs to the slower tempos, it's clear that emotion and the feelings the song is meant to provoke is at the forefront of each track. Her voice brings things to life in the way it's confident and easy listening. I'm taken back to that walk home, the orange glow of the autumn leaves feel more vibrant, the lights on the street grow more intense and the warmth inside my headphones feel just that bit warmer. Recently, I've been enjoying this one in particular and I hope you do too! : 

'tis the season to enjoy new music, so do yourself a favour and expand your playlist to include this beauty!

P.s. more gifts to come...

M 

Flowers for spring: Liana Flores

British Spring has (finally!!) sprung and with the scorching 18-22 degree heatwave brightening our days, why not experience the warmth and blooming colours of Springtime with the music of the aptly-named Liana Flores?!

I found her music in the depth of a very cold winter, both literally and metaphorically. The days were grey and wet, and the monotony of my routine was not lost on me, to a point that became almost fearful. Rainy days can be a real mood-dampener but even then, you sometimes find little pockets of joy like an an oily rainbow puddle. I stepped into a ray of colour upon hearing this song:

The soft Bossa Nova melody was like holding up a mirror, including my new-found obsession with being at water or by the sea. Listening to the album, there's strong and continuous imagery of water. Liana's voice is mellow and floating like a body of water which increases in power with its volume. It captures something very rare, in that when listening to her music, you feel heard. 

Whilst beach-combing through the catalogue of Liana Flores' albums I discovered an aeroplane ticket to Brazil. (No, not literally but it may as well have been). This upbeat track begins with some shaking maracas that you can't help but shimmy to, and a characteristic ukulele which practically forces you to sway and clap along to the sounds of samba's cousin. Bossa Nova, often thought of as no more than "elevator music" is an underrated musical genre and this song is a prime example of that! Although developed from Brazilian samba in the 50's and 60's, modern Bossa Nova now stands alone as one of the most unique, exploratory and refreshing styles battling against the bleak pop currently being spewed out by mainstream charts. I LOVE... LOVE this song. Guaranteed to bring sunshine into your day.

If you haven't picked a holiday destination yet, or you're just looking to introduce some colour into your playlist/life, I  prescribe the antidote to monotony and bleakness - Liana Flores.

(Oh - and for anyone wondering, I did eventually fulfil my wish to take a break and walk by the sea ⬇️ )