Review: ALA.NI aces on an astounding a capella adventure
ALA.NI, 'œACCA'ť (ALA.NI)
Paris-based, London-born ALA.NI's second album, 'œACCA,'ť astounds with its artistry, an adventurous, almost-all a capella recording whose intricate arrangements and instantly-familiar melodies prove irresistible.
The self-produced 'œACCA'ť expands on the promise ALA.NI showed on 'œYou & I,'ť her 2017 debut - a timeless album featuring her crystalline singing and songs set during the four seasons of a year-long affair - and opens a wide horizon for her musical future.
While the songs are dominated by her layered vocals, ALA.NI gets some assistance on several tunes from beat boxer Dave Crowe, while Iggy Pop recites in French in a possible Leonard Cohen homage on 'œLe Diplomate'ť and also has a much more typical cameo on 'œBitch.'ť
There's also some bass guitar, cello and accordion, while a discrete string quartet performs on the gentle, lullaby-like 'œIn the Land,'ť and on 'œHide,'ť which sounds the most like a 'œYou & I'ť bonus track. Lakeith Stanfield's rap on 'œVan P'ť provides a bit of contrasting frenzy.
Stylistically, ALA.NI proves to be quite resourceful, taking the songs in both traditional and more modern directions. 'œShaLaLa,'ť as you may have guessed, is in a doo-wop mode, while 'œPapa'ť and 'œVan P'ť are basically stripped-down contemporary. 'œPapa'ť in particular is ripe for a smart, respectful remix, its beats and chants practically dance floor ready.
Opener 'œDifferently'ť sounds like an ode to diversity or romantic skills, but, a bit like The Police's 'œEvery Breath You Take,'ť it can also have a more ominous interpretation, a sentiment that also fits the dense and intense 'œWales.'ť
'œAway Go'ť ends 'œACCA'ť on a purely vocal note, as ALA.NI bares her heartbreak and makes it impossible to listen without being affected by her emotional plea for separation.
ALA.NI's again shows herself to be an extraordinarily skilled musician and 'œACCA'ť is an emotionally piercing album that's upholds her ability to create some timeless sounds.