Nabihah Iqbal
, an ethnomusicologist and NTS Radio DJ from London, used to make lush, abstract dance music as
Throwing Shade
, and released a series of acclaimed EPs on labels such as
No Pain in Pop
and
Ninja Tune
. Her long-awaited full-length debut arrived on the latter, but it's credited to her given name rather than her previous moniker. It's a fully-fledged leap into dreamy indie pop, filled with airy post-punk guitars and driving rhythms.
Iqbal
's vocals are gentle but barely obscured by reverb, and the lyrics (all printed in the booklet in one flowing passage without track separation) make mentions of struggles and conflicts ("You fight the war/You want something more," "We're all just trying to make it through") without making specific references to politics. There are also expressions of isolation and a desire for love, but the general message seems to be positive and encouraging. "Something More," one of the album's singles, appears early on, and immediately captures a classic post-punk sound without being derivative of anyone in particular. Similarly, the tracks which feature a heavier presence of synths and electronic beats (particularly "Eternal Passion") are indie-dance every bit as credible as
New Order
or
Saint Etienne
without sounding like either. Truly an outstanding album, and one of the year's biggest left-field surprises. ~ Paul Simpson