ZOLA JESUS
Arkhon (Sacred Bones)
Back with new album Arkhon, Nika Roza Danilova, aka Zola Jesus, always conjures up intense darkness with her music, whether it is the Badalamenti-meets-Recoil stunner that was Stridulum II or 2014’s more pop-orientated album for Mute Records, Taiga. The emotional pull of singer, songwriter and producer Danilova’s music can stop one in their tracks. After years of controlling her own sonic destiny, Danilova hit a brick wall and decided to enlist the help of others.
Sunn O))) producer Randall Dunn was brought on board, as was drummer Matt Chamberlain, whose previous credits include David Bowie and Bob Dylan. Arkhon, the seventh Zola Jesus album, from track to track, has a varied and expansive sound that lies somewhere between dark electronica and minimal cinematic soundscapes: from the piano-led Desire, to the compelling grooves of The Fall via the strings of Dead & Gone, the results are captivating.
words DAVID NOBAKHT
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