Nabihah Iqbal Weighing Of The Heart

Ninja Tune

Already revered for her standout and culturally diverse sound on her much-loved NTS Radio show and her idiosyncratic releases on Kassem Mosse’s Ominira imprint as Throwing Shade, Nabihah Iqbal releases her compelling debut album under her own name. Switching to her birth name to stand proudly as a British Asian, the talented producer/singer/songwriter unleashes a warm, dreamy and typically eclectic debut. Channelling a host of post-punk influences alongside dream-pop, krautrock, proto house, ’80s Goth, rare groove and electronica, Iqbal builds a fascinating soundscape that is as expansive as it is immersive. Post-punk beats fuse with gentle but psychedelic synths and layers of blissed-out reverb as her floaty vocals drift over the top. Big, moody basslines penetrate shimmering synth atmospheres, drawing in intense emotions. Guitars feature more heavily than we heard from Iqbal before as she embraces live instrumentation, playing everything herself. This gives the whole record a more experimental, DIY flavour that adds character and personality throughout. The LP has a personal, intimate and reflective aesthetic, as Iqbal explores themes around dissatisfaction, existential doubt and happiness. Iqbal’s versatility and ability to change gears has always been apparent, but on Weighing Of The

Heart, she lays her growth and evolution as an artist in plain view. A genuinely distinctive and singular artist who has created a wonderful and beautifully accomplished debut, Nabihah Iqbal is one of Britain’s most important forward-thinking musicians.

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