Waking World
Arts Music, 2022
8/10
The esteemed South Korean singer Youn Sun Nah returns with an album where she penned all the songs, as she tries to find some semblance of light in some very dark times.
“Bird On The Ground” opens the listen with emotive keys and equally moving vocals as power and mystery are both present and appreciated, and “Don’t Get Me Wrong” follows with a warm intimacy as Nah’s pretty pipes flow with poetic storytelling.
Elsewhere, “Round And Round” offers a dreamy appeal of pop friendly ideas amid the creative song craft, while “My Mother” is a bit haunting but also embraces a soulful aspect amid the well timed drums and brass.
Deeper yet, “It’s Ok” uses acoustic strumming splendidly alongside the charming storytelling, and “I’m Yours” exits the listen with a stirring climate of breathy singing, hazy songwriting and plenty of cautious imagination.
This is Nah’s 11th studio album, and it showcases an artist spreading her wings while still retaining her roots, where she dabbles with folk, pop and jazz in a very introspective and slow burning fashion that you can’t listen to just once.
Travels well with: Coniece Washington- Shades Of Shirley Horn; Lady Blackbird- Black Acid Soul