Into The Depths Of 'Nesha's Cypher', An Album by Turunesh
East African sonic temptress Turunesh is a musical alchemist born in Nairobi and raised in Dar- es –Salaam, now weaving her artistry from Vancouver. As a singer, composer, creative director and producer, her sound is a striking fusion of diverse influences in the creation of a hypnotic and enchanting sonic Frankenstein. Following a reflective hiatus after the release of her 2021 LP, Satin Cassette, she marked her return with Nesha’s Cypher, an album that emphasizes emotional resonance over definition by rigid genres. For this, she drew inspiration from Erykah Badu, Sade and Cesaria Evora, bringing to life a spiritually transcendent soundscape that is sure to leave a lasting imprint on the listener’s spirit.
Tangerine, the opening track, is a take on bittersweet longing and nostalgia. From the very first lines, she pulls us into a space filled with both longing and heartache ‘’ If our secrets are forever, how we ain’t together now.’’ It is a line that immediately resonates, capturing the feeling of being tethered to a past relationship while grappling with the reality of separation. The rest of the lyrics are a highlight of the push and pull of desire in sharp contrast with the sting of jealousy and distance. Musically, Tangerine is nothing short of captivating. The ambient production and sultry melodies create an immersive atmosphere with a haunting quality that makes you want to listen again and again, each time uncovering new layers of meaning. In its entirety, the track sets the tone for Nesha’s Cypher with its fusion of vulnerability with sensuality.
BackFat follows, a confrontation of the emotional toll of modern love with unflinching honesty. Exploring the absence of genuine connection in a world dominated with superficiality, Turunesh highlights the struggle of trying to reach the softer, more vulnerable parts of ourselves when our hearts feel cold and hardened by past experiences. Pursuit for real intimacy is anything but easy. BackFat is a sonic encapsulation of the exhaustion and disillusion that this pursuit sometimes brings in its wake, and of the sobering reminder that despite the chaos of it all, we will always crave genuine connection.
The next track, Nefertiti Complex highlights the after effects of impulsive pursuits. The opening lines ‘’I shouldn’t have fucked last night, I should’ve contemplated’’ draw us into a whirlwind of regret and desire. The lyrics are an apt underscoring of the fact that nights of passion aren’t always as inconsequential as we’d like, and can quickly turn complicated. Turunesh’s confessions are refreshingly honest. Musically, the track is elevated by the inclusion of vibrant saxophone play that transports the listener to a much older time. Nefertiti Complex is but another showcase of Turunesh’s knack for blending raw emotion with captivating sounds.
Tamagotchi is a thought provoking reflection of love in the digital age. Named after the beloved Japanese virtual pet from the 90s, the song cleverly uses the Tamagotchi as a metaphor for contemporary relationships which often exist behind screens rather than in genuine face to face interactions. Musically, Tamagotchi combines a catchy melody with an electronic vibe that mirrors the digital themes woven throughout the song. The track opens and closes with a nostalgic Tamagotchi tune with the lyrics illustrating how much technology has reshaped our emotional connections. It stands out as a cleverly layered commentary on the state of love today.
The next track, Virgin Denim, is a collaborative venture alongside Kenyan acts Karun and mau from nowhere. While her last singles explored ‘The synonymy of sex and sounds’, virgin denim reminisces on the deceptively innocuous sweetness of first love. Written and recorded two summers ago in Nairobi, Kenya, the track’s title is ‘’Inspired by a pair of my mom’s jeans from her 20s that I still be rocking today, ’she says. As with most of the records in Turunesh’s enchanting discography and especially with her last album Satin Cassette, Virgin Denim has infused into it the spiritual syncretism that is so quickly becoming a Turunesh hallmark. While the lyrics cover the naiveté’ that comes with young love, there is a grounding, transcendent spirituality about the track. Karun’s meditative touch and mau from nowhere’s striking cadence only further underscore that. The experimental R&B tapestry tinged with subtle electronic elements that their voices weave over is but another amplifying factor.
Swahili Sonnets is a radiant tribute to the beauty of coastal life and the vibrant culture that shapes Turunesh’s artistry. This track is a celebration of her roots, infused with her love for the coast, and the desire to create a song her parents can enjoy. The standout feature in Swahili Sonnets is the incorporation of live instrumentation, its seamless blending of the saxophone, guitar and drums. It all feels alive, echoing the rhythmic pulse of coastal life and enhancing the vivid imagery Turunesh paints with her lyrics. Lines like ‘’ Swahili sonnets, scotch bonnet peppers, mangoes and limes,’’ conjure a sensory feast, transporting listeners to sun-kissed shores and warm evenings where they can almost taste the sweetness of yellow mangoes and feel the heat of red scotch bonnets. The combination of vivid imagery, live instrumentation and evocative lyrics makes Swahili Sonnets an immersive highlight.
With The Alchemist, Turunesh delivers a sultry exploration of desire and intimacy. It is a take on the intoxicating feeling of being consumed by passion for a significant other, capturing the heat of the moment and the bliss of surrendering to that desire. The opening lines ‘’Sour Candy and sweet wine, come at an hour I cannot deny you,’’ set a decadent scene that combines tantalizing imagery with a growing sense of urgency. As the song progresses, the heat intensifies with lines like ‘’ Drive me mad in the fire you arise.’’ Turunesh’s delivery is seductive and desire charged throughout the track, where passion and sensuality take center-stage. Only heat and desire matter and it is impossible to not to lose oneself in the song as Turunesh’s inner enchantress freely reigns.
Lonely 808 introduces a hauntingly consuming melancholy in exploration of waning desires. She compares her longing to a musical beat and asks to sever a connection before it becomes a catalyst for negative manifestations and transformations. Her present reality no longer excites her, impatience is palpable and there is a tangible desire for clarity and freedom. The track is moody and atmospheric with electronic elements. The 808 beats pulse beneath her vocals, driving home the urgency and restlessness present in the lyrics. The allusion to chasing past crushes and first moments with marijuana reminds us of the thrill that once was, now overshadowed by the reality of the current situation. Ultimately, Lonely 808 pushes us to embrace our own journeys towards freedom and clarity in whatever form that may take.
MP4 Player takes us deeper into melancholy, highlighting the ache of lingering attachment after heartbreak. A relationship that once brought joy and harbored a sense of completion has disintegrated into nothingness. Turunesh struggles with the fact that letting herself be truly known and seen has only led to her feeling exposed and trapped. The production is dreamy, the delivery is beautifully melancholic and the struggle is clear. With MP4 Player, Turunesh does an amazing job of capturing the nuances of heartbreak, making this track relatable to anyone struggling with similar feelings.
Closing out the album is ControLS!, a cathartic explosion of anger and mourning. Turunesh confronts the aftermath of a relationship that feels like a series of sacrifices with little reward. ControLS! features the blinding pain of feeling used and the frustration that accompanies wasted effort. Her voice bears a rawness that is equal parts hurt and fury. The lyrical imagery is haunting and the sense of loss and emptiness throughout the track is almost overbearing. Musically, the track pairs its emotionally charged lyrics with a bold, driving beat. In looking her pain in the eye, ControLS! becomes a poignant conclusion to Nesha’s cypher, leaving behind the lasting impression of vulnerability and resilience.
Nesha’s Cypher is not just a collection of songs, it is a tapestry of experiences that invites listeners to confront their own emotions and vulnerability. From the sultry exploration of desire in Tangerine to the haunting reflections in MP4 Player, Turunesh demonstrates a remarkable ability to articulate the dynamism and complexities of modern relationships.
Out now on all streaming platforms.