afropunk premiere: hypnotic single ‘dues’ marks new focus for electro-soul collective astralblak
Electrosoul collective ZULUZULUU has never pulled punches, and their re-emergence as astralblak finds the band pushing their sonic limits, while holding themselves accountable. The song matches a retro synth beat to one of the band’s tightest hooks. Melting synths fill out open spaces beneath a massive beat. As for the name change, it came as the result of soul searching about cultural appropriation and being true to their message as a band:
The main reason for the name change was a matter of authenticity and accountability. Being that none of us is directly related to the actual Zulu tribe of South Africa, we collectively decided that changing the name would be the most respectful course of action. astralblak is universal as in connecting with the universe, it is all encompassing in its narrative of blackness and highlights the diversity in all of our individual experiences as artists and members of the unified diaspora.- astralblak (formerly ZULUZULUU)
The band plays as part of the Verizon Super Bowl concert series this afternoon in Minneapolis. Check them out at 4pm on the Verizon Up Stage At 8th And Nicollet Avenue.
treat yourself to electro soul artist upper reality anthems of self-care and self-determination on her new self-titled ep
“I’ve got a lot of statements to make after graduating college with an economics degree and moving to Cape Town, South Africa,” Upper Reality explains, “I’m in a time where I want to keep healing and sending messages that provoke people and inspire them to be better versions of themselves, in a time where the world seems hell-bent on reversing that.” On her 3rd EP, the singer-songwriter-producer crafts spacious soundscapes with powerful messages. Her evocative voice floats in and out of the ethereal waves of sound. Calling for self-care and self-determination amidst damning indictments of colonialism, songs like “Call You Back” and “When The Sun Goes Down” make the most of Upper Reality’s talent for blending rage at injustice, healing vibes, psychedelic sounds, and dense beats. Stream it now on Soundcloud.
join the head-bopping prowl with delicious new track “hungry” by electro-pop singer tunde olaniran
“Open my mouth to start / hungry to taste your heart.”
Singer, rapper, and activist meets pop icon as Tunde Olaniran is expands his appetite-and we couldn’t be more hype.
With the release of his latest track “Hungry”, the Michigan-born artist offers a fresh homage to yearning, and an electro-pop anthem on the rise. Complete with a bubbling synth backtrack and a mantra-like hook, listeners fall victim to the prowl he sets in place, and with tempo-ed vocals and echo-ey progressions, the track builds until the very last 808.
First introducing himself to the masses with his debut 2015 EP Transgressor, Olaniran is coming into his own and making it known in this fearless declaration—and by the end of the track there’s no doubt he gets what he wants, granting audiences a full meal.
I dare you not to bop to this bop… I dare you. Check out Tunde Olaniran‘s latest “Hungry” below!
ambient r&b singer kelela takes her time on her essential debut full length ‘take me apart’
Kelela is an artist who takes her damn time. Taking 4 years to complete her debut mixtape, and another 4 to drop a proper debut album, she does things on her own terms. “But I’ll take it slowly, there’s no use in rushing,” she sings to a lover in “S.O.S.” From sparse beats to melodies that take 3 minutes to build to a climax out of a wall of multitracked vocals, Kelela is in full control of time. That mix of patience and a refusal to compromise makes Take Me Apart a rare artistic statement from one of the most essential voices in R&B right now.
The warped synths and spaced out beats that underscore her aching vocals make the album drip with night. Late nights missing an ex, wondering where it all went wrong, or just waiting for someone to come over. There’s a confessional quality to her lyrics, particularly on hightlights “LMK” and “Onanon.” That honesty is on starkest display on the 3 shortest tracks, “Jupiter,” “S.O.S.” and “Bluff.” Barely cracking the 2 minute mark, the trio of songs form the emotional backbone of the record.
Stunners like “Turn To Dust” mutate cellos and synth lines into a bed of longing. “One look at you and I turn to dust,” she sings while her voice skips and echoes beneath waves of strings. The album closes with the almost optimistic “Altadena.” After the late night melodies, it’s hard to hear it as anything other than the morning after. “There’s a place for everyone, let me remind you.”
south african singer fortune shumba gives sneak peek of new album with “trinidad babies”
Up next in genre-defying artistry, is the return of South African singer Fortune Shumba– with his latest project in collaboration with acclaimed producer Dubokaj.
The project- titled “Dubokaj meets Fortune Shumba”- is the perfect combination of electro beat and a Kwaito-style flow, and we’ve been graced with a sneak peek of the upcoming album with the singer’s stand-out track “Trinidad Babies”- a dedication to black love of all forms.
The track can be categorized as a mixture of “Afro Dream Elektra”, indie, and modernized house fusion- as it travels throughout levels and textures- creating a concoction of melody. Starting off strong, and pushing through with a journey-inducing tempo and relatable, addictively cadenced lyricism; “Trinidad Babies” gets you in the mood to get moving.
In Fortune Shumba’s own words:
“The sound is electronic with traces of dub and reggae and everything sounds super chilled and relaxing. My lyrics vary from having boy crushes and openly speaking about it and infidelity in relationships – my own experiences or those of people close to me. But it’s all relaxed and playful and sometimes funny.”
This malleable artist raises the bar, producing a well-rounded listening experience, with the capacity to shift anyones mood, and state of mind. If this is what the single sounds like, we can’t wait to hear the finished product!
Check out “Trinidad Babies” below, and keep an eye out for “Dubokaj meets Fortune Shumba” soon to come.