Nia Archives is one of the most exciting UK artists around. The past few years have been massive for the Bradford producer, with her debut album ‘Silence Is Loud’ changing the face of modern jungle and drum & bass, underlining the promise that had already snagged her the first MOBO Award for electronic/dance act and a slot supporting Beyoncé in 2023. Now, on ‘Emotional Junglist’, she pushes the envelope once more.
The record does what it says on the tin, recounting the highs and lows of a relationship and break-up over breakbeats and disparate samples. Feelingz Go Numb introduces a mix that perhaps shouldn’t work as well as it does, and there’s an innocence and delicacy to her “what have I done?” refrain that draws the listener in.
Around Tha Bend lands as an early highlight, all spaghetti western guitar loops and pounding drums, carrying a healthy dose of whimsy and dreamlike wonder, before Danger explores the highs of a fresh, exciting relationship. Vertical’s chorus is utterly gorgeous.
At this point, Nia’s voice is wholly her own and her identity is unmistakable, but there is also an air of British pop mavericks Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen about it all, particularly on This Could Be…, before she teams up with Jorja Smith for a real treat of soulful melodies and strident rhythms on Get Me Down.
‘Emotional Junglist’ is a wonderful new peak for Nia Archives. She’s taken the whole premise of ‘difficult second album’ and laid waste to the notion with one of the year’s most accomplished and daring releases so far.
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