Description
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After a four-year hiatus, Indus returns with their highly anticipated second album, “Negra.” Released in June 2024 under ZZK Records, this album delves into the essence of night through the themes of dance, seduction, and mystery, while honoring Colombia’s amphibious cultures and the land that grounds us.
“Negra” stands as a testament to the rich confluence of various cultural universes. Barranquilla producer Óscar Alford, along with Andres Mercado and a distinguished group of collaborators, bridges the sonic landscapes of the Pacific and the Caribbean. The album seamlessly blends traditional coastal and river music with universal electronic beats, hip hop, and urban genres like dembow. Óscar Alford describes the project as a confluence of different musical worlds, showcasing the traditional sounds of the coast and rivers, enhanced by electronic elements and urban rhythms.
The album opens with “Deja,” a ritualistic initiation that transports listeners to an ethereal, galactic realm. “Alfa Indi,” featuring Gamero singer Nelda Piña, follows, releasing a cascade of electronic sounds that evoke a sense of creation.
Desire and seduction take center stage in “Candela tu Trá,” a collaboration with Tomás Llerena, grandson of the legendary Petrona MartÃnez. The earth’s grounding presence is felt in tracks like “Canción del muerto,” a tribute to marimba maestro Gualajo, featuring his brother Pacho Torres and Bogotá rapper N. Hardem. This track serves as a farewell ritual, honoring the land and its history.
“Corre Cimarrón” with Ka Oddun captures the harrowing journeys of enslaved ancestors seeking freedom. These narratives are woven into the fabric of “Negra,” painting a vivid picture of survival and resilience.
“Negra” is a mystical exploration of the night and cosmos within Colombian musical traditions. It is a dialog between root rhythms, voices, and synths, oscillating between techno-champeta, afro-tech, and future-dembow. Indus reinterprets ancestral music and resignifies its sound, positioning themselves as one of the most versatile acts on the Latin American music scene.
The album features collaborations with icons of traditional Colombian music like Nelda Piña and Pacho Torres, as well as new urban music artists such as N. Hardem and Tomás Llerena. The concept of the record revolves around the land and the night—the fertile, diverse land of the tropics represented by ancestral rhythms and voices, and the night reflected in acid sequences that evoke the frenzy of a fiesta.
“Negra” solidifies Indus’ reputation for versatility and innovation. This album is a journey through Colombia’s rich musical heritage, reimagined through contemporary sounds. Available on vinyl and digital platforms from June 21st, 2024, “Negra” promises to captivate listeners with its profound exploration of cultural and musical landscapes.
With “Negra,” Indus not only honors their roots but also pushes the boundaries of what Latin American music can be, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in the fusion of tradition and modernity.
