Alchemy*

TALA

The internet tells me "tala" is roughly the Indian equivalent of rhythm. Ain't that the truth. This self written, sung, and produced record is a beautifully rhythmic blend of cultures like I've never heard. TĀLĀ took that middle eastern (half Iranian) vocal depth, dropped some Americanized drums, stirred in a whole slew of sounds, and served up a nice little 4 track EP.

As to her sound, I hear a lot of artists influences in her work (Timbo, MIA, JT, Aaliyah), but nothing overwhelming enough to say she sounds like any one of them. And while it's R&B at heart, some tempo and instrumentation choices pull it out of that category. It's not quite pop as you'd traditionally think of it, but edging on it, as it's got a melody everyone can enjoy.

3 of the 4 songs grow on me more every time I listen to them, but Everybody's Free, boy, from day 1, that's been my jam. It's actually an homage to this 80s dance track of the same name by Rozalla, but, as you can tell, it took quite a different turn.