New Era

Text in englischer Sprache verfügbar

For many Britons, the winter of 2022 may be remembered as one of the most challenging and testing in living memory: ever-tumultuous politics, the harshest cold snap in a decade and a cost of living crisis rivalling that of the 1950s. But through glacial winds and economic strife, the inviolate tenor of New Era shines forth a hopeful, cathartic beacon, as Ishmael Ensemble joins forces with Gloucester-born MC, Rider Shafique. Threading the needle between the group’s characteristically transcendent sound and the vocalist’s poignantly articulated brand of spoken-word, the product cleaves a path through tenebrous soundscapes and jazz-inflected dub and trip-hop. Bandleader Cunningham’s pitch-perfect production and anthemic melodicism traverse all corners of the project, but it is surely the lyrical material which shines brightest. With Holysseus Fly’s vocals taking a backseat for this release, the spotlight is well and truly on Shafique, who urges listeners to engage deeply with themes of existential uncertainty (‘Reasons’) and spiritual disorientation (‘Polestar’). The title track, ‘New Era’ is particularly persuasive, where prophetic notions of revolution simmer above tremulous bass and drone-centric instrumentation. Overall, an intensely moving piece of work – one which will surely resonate with all those searching for some semblance of clarity through such seemingly precarious times. More of the same, please. © Finn Kverndal/Qobuz