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Khamis, 14 November 2013

Yuna - Google Blog Search

Yuna - Google Blog Search


Reviewed: <b>Yuna&#39;s</b> Nocturnal | MTV IGGY

Posted: 07 Nov 2013 07:42 AM PST

Words by Laura Studarus

"She's got life in her veins," Yuna sings emphatically on "Rescue," a cut from her recently released third album, Nocturnal. "She don't need no rescuing, she's okay." While it's a critical fallacy to believe that all art is personal, it's difficult not to see the musician in that statement. Earlier this year the singer-songwriter may have blushed when recounting the excitement of her collaboration with Pharrell on the loungey, French-flavored tune, "Live Your Life" to MTV Iggy, but Yuna's music is infused with the cool, quiet confidence of an artist in full control of her craft. Having moved to Los Angeles a few years ago from her home in Kuala Lumpur, to pursue her musical ambitions, Yuna's is not the tale of shrinking violet. Or as "Rescue" goes on to emphasize, "That girl is you, yeah/And that girl is me/That girl is stronger than the raging sea." (Sing it sister!)

The tales contained in Yuna's third album Nocturnal may be largely tragic (see "Falling," "Mountains," and "I Want You Back.") but they're delivered with a slyly optimistic grin. Perhaps it's the joy of finding a whole stable of musical soulmates in producers Tomas Barfod, Jeppe Kjellberg, Chris Braide, Om'mas Keith, Chad Hugo, Michael Einziger and Robin Hannibal. A gathering of like minds, rather than too many elbow-throwing cooks in the kitchen, Yuna's illustrious collection of wingmen guide the album towards a twinkling, dusky blend of pop, soul, and R&B—all the better to highlight her lyrics of love's labors, lost and won. For all practical purposes, this is a post-breakup album, but never once does Yuna fall into a place of bitterness, making for a collection that's transcendent emotionally as much it is musically.

Of all the producers to leave their thumbprints on Yuna's work, Hannibal coxes the most interesting musical textures out of his muse. The musician imbues "Falling" and "Lights and Camera" with a whispery sheen that wouldn't be out of place in his day jobs, writing and performing with both Rhye and Quadron. An apt synth siren, Yuna compliments the compositions, drawing out stories of hidden heartache in crystal-clear, languorous phrases or a light marimba undercurrent.

Fun, but Yuna's girl-next-door charm has always stemmed from the fact she's doing the heavy lifting herself. "Someone Who Can," splits the difference between her singer-songwriter and electronic personas, showcasing both her delicate guitar work and autumnal disco production by Neptune's Chad Hugo. It's an outstanding entry—one of many in the understated, slow-burning album. In a sea of shouting divas desperate to be heard above the din, Yuna has proven that soft-spoken charm speaks loudest of all.

Nocturnal is out now via Verve.

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