The new record is about duality, and is a testament to Sudan Archives’ dynamism and fluidity as an artist. Since her debut EP, Sudan Archives has been navigating the spaces between genres including R&B, violin playing inspired by Northeast African fiddling, and experimental electronic music. Athena showcases this fusion of styles she makes entirely her own.
Athena follows Sudan Archives’ debut EP Sudan Archives (2017) and the Sink EP (2018), which garnered wide acclaim from NPR Music, The Guardian, Pitchfork and The New York Times, among others. For the album Sudan Archives worked with a cast of musicians including producers Washed Out, Paul White (Danny Brown, Charli XCX), and Rodaidh McDonald (The xx, Sampha, Adele). The result of her opening up to collaboration is her most wide-ranging music to date; as she puts it, the EPs are “like a haiku of what the album is".
Deeply ambitious, sometimes vulnerable, and always beautiful, Athena is a powerful statement from a musician who has always resisted easy categorisation.
Release: November 1st, 2019, Stones Throw/Inertia
Words: Stones Throw