.


I was introduced to her via her excellent short set in NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series - which is a great example of how to put yourself across in a concise format. Some neo-soulish shades of Badu and Lauryn Hill in her music, but also hints of those 90s/00s confessional singer-songwriters like Alanis Morrisette - though without the wispiness or self-indulgence that can make both of those genres irritating. At the same time, the melody to Kinfolk wouldn't sound out of place on a Gillian Welch album, and the instrumentation gives it a more angular feel that is a world away from soporific neo-soul noodling.

Lyrically, there are some familiar themes of self-belief in the face of trials and tribulations (e.g. Black Truck) in there - but, again, it feels authentic, and without overbearing self-indulgence. And her verses are sharply written (e.g. dodging the devil).

The songs from the NPR set all hail from her 2019 album The Jungle Is The Only Way Out, which does pull things towards a more 'urban' sound, but which is still a cohesive and engaging piece. I've just spotted what looks like a cracking live set from last year, with material from Jungle plus her previous album Room For Living, and what is perhaps also some new material.

Good stuff, anyway.

[Edited 10/11/20 5:59am]

Thanks for posting this, will definitely check her out later because I trust and like your taste in music.

By the way, good to see you back.

Check out Abra if you aren´t familiar with her already. I discovered her four or five years ago and once you listen to her you´ll be addicted. Made her first albums in her bedroom closet.

yeah ive seen her on TinyDesk recently too... she's definitely one of my new favorites!

she's like a combination of Rapsody and Lianne LaHavas

Thanks for the recommendation. I'd never heard of her and just watched some of her videos. I really liked them.

KoolEaze said:

Check out Abra if you aren´t familiar with her already. I discovered her four or five years ago and once you listen to her you´ll be addicted. Made her first albums in her bedroom closet.

I never heard of Abra either, but checked out a couple of her videos and really enjoyed those as well. Thanks!

Cindy said:

KoolEaze said:

Check out Abra if you aren´t familiar with her already. I discovered her four or five years ago and once you listen to her you´ll be addicted. Made her first albums in her bedroom closet.

I never heard of Abra either, but checked out a couple of her videos and really enjoyed those as well. Thanks!

She often posts on Twitter. Sometimes she posts songs in the making, played on her acoustic guitar, sometimes raw demos. She´s pretty down to earth, too. We´ve exchanged some messages when she was still on Facebook. She also acted in a movie called Assassination Nation but I´d rather want her to focus more on music because I am seriously addicted to her music.

Check out her Princess album if you can. It is great. Rose is another great album.

I like Mereba´s song Heatwave a lot.

[Edited 10/14/20 15:02pm]

Thanks KoolEaze. I will definitely give a listen. 😊