Jordan Rakei — Wallflower [CD]

CD digipak / Wallflower introverted, misunderstood, sensitive, strange and seemingly unknowable. Newly signed to Ninja Tune, Jordan Rakei has battled his inner demons and written an inspirational, soul-stirring record in the process. Titled & Wallflower & which will be released on 22nd September 2017. At only 25, the multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and producer - born in New Zealand to a Kiwi mother and father from the Cook Islands - is a rare talent whose distinct take on soul captures a sonic and emotional awareness many artists spend their entire careers chasing. He writes with a maturity and flair that belies his years, and his new album & Wallflower & sees Jordan edging beyond the peripheries of the genial, often sun-flecked sound his fans have come to know him for. On & Wallflower & the focus is on live instrumentation - but the groove and the cadence are unmistakable, framing soul and jazz in a truly vibrant oeuvre that simultaneously recalls his predecessors, The Roots, and peers The Internet, Nick Hakim, and Hiatus Kaiyote. Jordan considers Wallflower his most personal work yet - it's an emotive opus inspired by his own struggles with introversion and anxiety. Sonically lush and complex, yet lyrically relatable and unguarded, listeners are offered a glimpse into the mind and artistry of a musician who grapples with his own self-image and fears every day. On 'Sorceress' (recently supremely reworked by Photay), the ego is personified as a sinister and controlling spirit figure led by equal parts understated ethereal guitar and Jordan's superb multi-layered vocals. The new single 'Nerve', featuring Dave Okumu of The Invisible on guitar, is upbeat and incites a sense of renewal as its lyrics call out the fallacies within self-constructed paradigms. Elsewhere, the ska-tinged 'Clues Blues' is laced with trombone and saxophone by Ahmad Dayes and Wayne Francis II from South London pillars United Vibrations. In many ways, Wallflower is a direct emotional response to his new surroundings and is undoubtedly a testament to Jordan's personal strength, drive, and overriding passion for his art as well as a reflection of his openness and eagerness to reach out and explore London's fertile music underground. It cements not only his importance as a contemporary and truly exhilarating soul voice on the international stage, but his Vinyl is 2LP 180g heavyweight black vinyl in paper sleeves housed in a 5mm spined gatefold outer sleeve. Artwork by Stuart Hardie. Includes MP3 download code