Ports: Unconventional electronic folk
Artist by medium and nature, Amy Ayanda’s art is an evolving catalyst ready to grow with her. In her new release Ports, Amy shares a visceral texture, an aesthetic mood and shows off her super song writing skills.
“Boon” commences its arrangement and I can hear Thor Rixon’s trademark sound attached to it. Slowly stepping up to the retro congruent beat, dreamy loops transgress around the vocals, sucking them like the honeysuckle drains the sun for survival. With a progressive dance/jazz anthem-like rotation, along the sides of unconventional electronic folk moments; urban city sounds meets the milky drool of the motherland and ambiance is created from its loops.
“Eyes Fade” has an intro reminiscent of Balam Acab’s mechanical rush into an electric minefield, fuelled by the crystallised sound of lively emotion, and then, a voice that contrasts the next set of sounds. It exists purely for its combination. One moment you are sitting with a deep dusk note and then it squeaks in form to shift the tone. Its genius lies in the movement. Towards the end of the track, the melody fades and expires into a new element- one with a stiff and jolted sound making experience that tickles its ending with an infinite finale.
Rested, with no definite point of direction, “Kings Kraal”, tells a story of soft kisses and original harmonics. Its beginning feels like the start of an energy ball, floating towards a centre that pulls the song into synthesis, leaving you gasping for fuller breath, fuelled by deep incisions to the nervous system. Its chimes pull me into its composition like I’m its puppet. Once the trumpet meets the keys, the energy ball enters and opens me up. The song has separated my limbs like a car would its engine parts. The only thing driving me to the energy source is the warmth of Amy’s voice, singing soft and deep, with purpose.
“La Llorna” is easy like Sunday morning. It reminds me of a Lily Allen track, jumpy, soothing and an invitation to dance. Its lyrical content is seducing its audience. Be my blanket/ soft skin cotton Cushion/ safely guarded/ wrapped around my wandering eyes.
Its pull lies in its informality. The ‘hmmm’ sound on repeat. The tropical keyboard tapping. The darker drumbeat. A bit more commercial compared to the earlier tracks, but with plenty gradients that reach newer harmonies over stale ones.
Compiling this EP was done in a creative and sincere approach. The dynamism is pure; its movement extensive and its vocals appear in the foreground. I find myself returning to each track hearing new layers of melody and arrangement, and this is a tell sign of talent.
