With her debut EP, upcoming Scottish artist Nikhita manages to transport the listener through time and space in just five songs.
“Solace”, released by the Edinburgh-based R&B artist on 4 April, comprises four studio tracks and one live recording.
Opener “Lake Karachay” is a tranquil introduction to the project. The stripped back production and prominent yet unassuming bassline lets her truly shine. Stacked vocals and a gradual fade into glistening guitars lets the track naturally change into a completely different song by the final third. Nikhita’s adlibs are gorgeous and ethereal and create a sonic atmosphere akin to sitting atop a misty mountain.
On the surface, “Lake Karachay” seems like the laid back soundtrack of a spring afternoon but a closer listen to the lyrics makes the listener privy to some deep soul-searching. It almost mirrors its landmark namesake – a beautiful body of water hidden in Russia’s Ural Mountains, but is actually one of the most toxic lakes in the world as it was once a radioactive dumping ground for the USSR.
“Chamomile Clouds” and “Cleopatra” are the most instrumentally intriguing tracks on the project. Nikhita employs Tibetan singing bowls on both, a nod to themes of healing soul-deep wounds that are woven throughout her work. On her use of these instruments, the singer said:
“I have always thought of music as being an avenue for healing, and recently I’ve been learning more about how to intensify that effect sonically, in traditional ways, linked to my heritage.
“I play singing bowls on a few tracks – these instruments originate from the Himalayas and produce a set of overtones, creating vibrations which can aid in our meditative process and regulation of the nervous system.”
Sonically, “Insurance” is a beautiful song which plays with changing elements on different stereo tracks. Where it falls flat is in the structure and production – both of which are just that little bit too loose to really let the vocals and lyrics shine.
By far the standout from “Solace” is the live track, “Golden Child”. Nikhita leans into her chest voice more here, a nice change from its predecessors, but it’s clear why she leans into her head voice so often – the control she has over it is phenomenal.
Stripped back instrumentals and light percussion marry in with the yellow imagery present in the lyrics: “gold dripping down her throat” and “turmeric on her toes/her bangles stacked in rows” are two of the most prominent lines in the song. Thematically, “Golden Child” is a powerfully honest and heartbreaking reflection on the pressure of living up to generational and religious expectations and upholding traditional gender roles. A truly moving track that warrants its five minute length.
Blending traditional R&B sounds with more experimental elements, Nikhita’s first offering proves she’s one to watch.