Taiga

by Zola Jesus

Overview

On the surface, Taiga is easily Zola Jesus' most accessible album. With each release, Nika has peeled away the layers of noise blanketing her music; Versions, her orchestral collaboration with J.G. Thirlwell, also reflected her sound's increasing refinement. She made Taiga with her most honed palette of sounds yet, fusing brass and strings with beats and synths into a majestic yet poignant sound that recalls Bjoerk's Homogenic, especially on the stately title track and "Hunger"'s frantic rhythms. Emphasizing her biggest strengths -- her huge voice, ringing melodies, and thoughtful lyrics -- should take Taiga to new heights, and at times it does. She embraces her newfound pop side wholeheartedly, and many moments suggest that this transformation holds promise. It's more than a little remarkable how well she harnesses her power into songs with clearly delineated hooks and choruses: "Dangerous Days" is equally glowering and joyous, echoing Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill" with its galloping beat as well as the moody electropop Sia took to the top of the charts earlier in 2014. Meanwhile, "Dust"'s slinky rhythms and brass combine R&B and classical leanings into something bewitching. It's notable that Nika was often more vulnerable when separated from her listeners by swaths of distortion on previous albums than she is on Taiga, though she does provide respites with more delicate moments like "Lawless" and the uniquely confessional "Ego." Even if it's not her most intimate work, Taiga allows Nika to be inventive and craft some some stunningly beautiful moments along the way. ~ Heather Phares

Product Details

Release Date:	10/07/2014
Label:	Mute / Mute Us
UPC:	0724596961131
Rank:	21421

Tracks

1. Taiga
2. Dangerous Days
3. Dust
4. Hunger
5. Go (Blank Sea)
6. Ego
7. Lawless
8. Nail
9. Long Way Down
10. Hollow
11. It's Not Over

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Zola Jesus   Primary Artist
James Rogers   Trombone
Gillian Rivers   Violin
Drake Smith   Trombone
Justin Kantor   Cello
Joe Exley   Tuba
Erik Hughes   Trombone
Yuiko Kamakari   Viola
Gabe Martin   Trumpet,Flugelhorn
Kim Free   Violin
Andris Mattson   Trumpet
Kyra Sims   French Horn
Garth Flowers   Trumpet
Matt Melore   Trombone
Nika   Vocals,Synthesizer

Technical Credits

Chris Coady   Additional Production
David Tolomei   Engineer
Joe Exley   Horn Arrangements
Brian Lucey   Mastering
Dean Hurley   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Brian Rosemeyer   Engineer
Blake Mares   Mixing Assistant
David Correll   Art Direction,Graphic Design
Caleb Braaten   Art Direction,Graphic Design
Julia Comita   Cover Photo,Photography
Nika   Arranger,Composer,Producer,Programming