Important Kiwi voice deserves praise
Two short collections of songs from powerful wa¯ hine on opposite sides of the globe stand out among this week’s music releases. Manawa Wera is a strong album from Tauranga artist Ria Hall, who has truly found her groove.
Hall deserves more of the spotlight after firmly establishing herself as an important voice in Aotearoa’s music landscape. Winning the APRA Maioha Award in 2018 for Te Ahi Kai Po¯ , she has performed with Trinity Roots, Fly My Pretties and, with Rob Ruha, took their astonishing, unique show Behind the Lines to festival audiences around the world.
Where her debut Rules of Engagement came from a place of history, Manawa Wera (passionate, ardent) acknowledges the importance of the past while feeling more rooted in the present.
Although the former took five years to create, this more cohesive collection feels immediate and alive.
Opening song History establishes what has gone before, with its huge reggae beat and a refrain that will be chanted by audiences for years to come. The backing vocals on the chorus are amazing.
The songs all stem from concise ideas reflected in their titles – Flow, Chant, Walk, and Hope .At just 23 minutes it’s over before you’ve had your fill, which left me pressing replay. Great stuff.
Christine and The Queens’ last record was named album of the year by The Guardian in 2018, and its lead single Girlfriend was given song of the year by Time magazine. The artist’s name is a misnomer, Christine is a singular entity (real name Heloise Adelaide Letissier). She calls her music freak-pop, but electro-pop would serve just as well.
Nuanced and even a little mysterious, she’s a rare delight in pop.
Flitting easily between languages (English, French and Italian), the music communicates as much emotion as the lyrics.
New EP La Vita Nuova is danceable while retaining an intimate, introspective feel that’s vulnerable and utterly powerful at the same time. Strong beats and snarling basslines are adorned with sweet synths and emotive soulful vocals.
Opening song People, I’ve Been Sad has an addictive quality, a truly memorable melody, and a theme many of us can relate to – the desire not to be seen.
Mountains is a love song that seems strangely like a sequel to You’re So Vain and the title track, a duet with Caroline Polachek is a worthy dance partner to last year’s Gone featuring Charli XCX.
A glorious short film of interpretive dance on Parisian rooftops accompanies La Vita Nuova, which is easily found online.