new music: sangally’s ‘shaman’ ep is a rare indie pop gem #soundcheck

Driven by an acoustic guitar and ever-present bass drum, Paris’ Sangally’s Shaman EP is the rare indie pop gem that delivers up effortlessly catchy melodies and emotional depth. Afro-Carribean and reggae rhythms play out beneath Damien Sangally’s smoothly cracked vocals. It’s sweet, and undeniably infectious, but throughout Shaman, Sangally and his band display an attention to detail and creativity rare in music this smooth.

By Nathan Leigh, AFROPUNK Contributor

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From the minimalist “Ride,” to the stunning “Keep Walking,” Sangally’s gift for melody is on full display. The lush backing vocals and deceptively simple percussion on “Ride,” elevate the song. The title track finds Sangally borrowing from his father, the great blues guitarist Jean Sangally. But when the prechorus kicks in, it’s clear he’s using the blues of his upbringing as just another building block for his all-in indie pop. Then the funk guitars enter the party. Then the organ.

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Glockenspiels dominate the breezy “Melody.” A simple ode to the summer nights with “nothing to think about apart from thinking of sweet melodies,” the song shares a familial relationship with Lianne La Havas and Laura Mvula. Closing track “Keep Walking” makes it clear that this is no mere Jack Johnsonian paean to complacency. Over a heartbreakingly simple acoustic guitar line, Sangally pours out his soul. It’s a surprising, but beautiful ending to an often surprising EP.

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The whole EP is available for purchase or streaming on Sangally’s website: http://sangallymusic.com/album/shaman/

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