What happens when two brilliant and visionary creatives get together? Racines happens. The artistic union between London-based producer, performer, selector and curator Rokeya and Italo-Algerian singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and gifted vocalist Anissa, Racines have recently shared their debut album, ‘Arilos Mennar’, an eclectic, cross-cultural aural journey that’s hypnotic and bold, always rewarding. The record is out now via Locomotiv Records.
Across nine offerings, listeners are taken through a kinetic, world-coded sonic experience. Middle Eastern and Arabic influences meet modern electronica and leftfield allure, making for material that sounds incredibly vibrant and striking, truly sui generis. Arabic, Italian, Spanish, French, Greek, and Ladino are all the languages woven throughout, showcasing Racines’ vast cultural perspective as well as their vast global appeal.
Delving deeper into the meaningful ethos that propels the album, we are told: “‘Arilos Mennar translates this vision into a sonic narrative in which personal and collective experiences meet and cross-pollinate. Arilos are the seeds of the pomegranate, a fruit rich in meaning across the Mediterranean: resilience, rebirth, death, life, union. Mennar, from the Algerian, means ‘from fire’: a primal and generative feminine force.” We appreciate the nuanced artistry that sits behind the record; such musical authenticity is a rare gift these days.
Recommended! Discover ‘Arilos Mennar’ now: