Verve Vinyl & CDs

Review: Grief can be intensely painful, overwhelming and hard to process, but also provide inspiration for those who make creative expression their life. For Pakistani-born, Brooklyn-based artist Arooj Afhab, the death of her beloved brother provided the inspiration for what some reviewers have called her greatest work yet: beautiful, poignant and soul-aching 2021 set Vulture Prince, which here returns to stores via a deluxe edition that boasts an extra track (the stunning 'Udhero Na'). Deeply emotional, the set pushes her weighty, emotionally inspiring vocals to the fore, with Afthab swapping experimental electronics and leftfield beats for a mixture of acoustic guitars, heavenly string arrangements (harp, violin, uptight bass) and traditional Pakistani instruments. The results are rarely less than stunning.

Review: Arooj Aftab's Night Reign is a stunning trip into the depths of the night, where inspiration thrives. Departing from themes of loss in her previous work, Aftab crafts an album rich with renewal and romance. Collaborations with artists like Cautious Clay and Moor Mother add layers to the lush soundscape, creating a cinematic experience. Each track, from the haunting 'Autumn Leaves' to the soulful 'Bolo Na,' weaves together to form a narrative of surrender and transformation. Aftab's voice, accompanied by intricate instrumentation, guides listeners through the darkness, offering moments of introspection and possibility. Night Train is a chance to throw yourself into the beauty and mystery of deep music, emerging renewed and transformed.