Album Review: "Coastal Cider" by Turunesh
In case you don’t already know Turunesh, here’s a beautiful way to introduce yourself to her, especially if you like authentic, African music. She recently released a 7 track EP titled “Coastal Cider” on all music platforms, and it is a masterful piece of work.
Online, her sound is described as Neo Ngoma & Swahili Soul and it couldn’t be more fitting.
She sounds like an absolute deity carrying her delicate yet strong inhibitions throughout the EP. There’s even a song titled “Aphrodite” to prove this. The most notable one is “Peninsula Fantasy” featuring AYLØ and Brian Simba. AYLØ is a notable artist in the African indie/alternative music scene who has worked with people like Tay Iwar and Santi, so it was a pleasant surprise to see his feature on this EP and a beautiful one at that. The mix of smooth African beats, jazz melodies, harmonic layers and bits of Swahili language is a huge treat to the ears! The coastal influence is greatly felt. She pays homage to her ancestors, mama Africa and the mystic narrative that is the African Woman. “Asili Spirits” takes note on this. It’s easy to get lost in this track and believe that you are deep in the coastal jungles of Dar es Salaam. She gradually repeats “Kata kiuno, kata kiuno mpaka chini” throughout the song like a spiritual chant, a chant to dance next to the fire and under the moonlight.
Turunesh has created a beautiful piece of work and you should definitely give this queen a listen or five. It feels like “a high” and is definitely high on those island vibes.
