Here’s four recently released albums that we’ve been playing at OUTinPerth HQ.
Dive into spiritual Jazz with CAVS, take in the latest from the realm of World Music with new sounds from Angelique Kidjo, minimalist pop from Carla dal Forno, and wild guitar rock from Angine de Poitrine.
CAVS
Sojourn
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Michael Cavanagh is the drummer for prolific Australian band King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, and this is his third solo album.
This time around, CAVS dives deep into a spiritual jazz sound, looping in Jim Rindfleish and Adam Halliwell from Mildlife, along with King Gizzard bassist Joey Walker. It feels like we’re transported to a very cool bar in the middle of a jungle, where a stream of funky jazz instrumentals is being served up.
Opening track Victoria Amazonica gently eases us into a sonic world that is sublimely chilled. Emerald Nile builds the atmosphere with flamenco‑style guitar and twinkling keys before lead single First Light brings a real party energy.
Between tracks, the sounds of birds and jungle animals create a lush background ambience. Silk Road opens with a very funky bassline and feels like we’re back in the 1970s, potentially starring in a Blaxploitation film or at least a very weekly detective TV show.
Things relax on Boitatá, with a mix of flutes and harp sounds, a steady beat, and warm jazz textures coming to the fore. Death Bat shifts into a darker and more intense space, but after an ominous beginning it quickly returns to a funk‑driven groove.
Pianos take centre stage on Paitti, while drums and warm organ tones dominate the deliciously funky Candiru — the longest track on the album at over six minutes – delivering a real psychedelic journey. Spiritual jazz at its finest, and a genuine evolution in CAVS’ sound.
Angelique Kidjo
Hope
★ ★ ★ ★
For her first album in five years Beninese music legend Angelique Kidjo has lined up an impressive roster of collaborators. Pharrell Williams, Quavo, Nile Rodgers, and the Soweto Gospel Choir are just a few of the names appearing on this new record.
Kidjo has described this as an album about living everyday to the fullest. On opening track Bando she sings about survival through everyday struggles backed by a tight brass section and signature African beats. Aya Kan (Are You Coming Back) is a collaboration with Ayra Starr and it’s a smooth and sophisticated jam, No Stopping Us is another groover with multilayered vocals and an uplifting vibe.
Fall on Me takes us into a romantic space with a duet with PJ Morton – a member of US band Maroon 5. Oyaya is a funky number that taps legendary bass player Nile Rodgers and singer IZA, while Superwoman sees Kidjo performing alongside French singer Dadju for another smooth tune.
Other highlights include You Can which features a acoustic guitar and heartfelt vocal from the singer. While Jerusulema sees the singer take the South African mega-hit from Master KG and deliver it as a anthemic ballad rather than a club hit. It’s one of those songs guaranteed to lift your spirits. Closing track Malakika is equally majestic and features French crooner Forent Pagny.
Carla dal Forno
Confession
★ ★ ★ ★
Carla dal Forno was previously a member of Australian bands Mole House and F ingers, and has since gone on to release several solo albums. This is her fourth solo release. After years of living in Berlin and London, she has relocated to a small town in Victoria, and much of this record was recorded in an abandoned hospital.
The compositions initially appear to be simple songs backed by the singer’s dreamy vocals, but they reveal distinctive musical textures and meaningful lyrics. Opening track Going Out is about having a crush on someone a friend is dating, and features a striking bassline reminiscent of early ’80s indie bands. On the title track, there’s a dub‑infused mix of echoing guitars and a plodding bassline as dal Forno sings about unrequited love.
The instrumental Drip Drop is whimsical, while Under the Covers is murkier and slower. Most of the tracks on this album move at a steady, unhurried pace, slowing your heartbeat and encouraging you to appreciate life at a gentler speed. Nightime continues the theme, as does Blue Skies.
There’s an excellent cover of The Sunnyboys’ Alone With You, stripping the song of its jangly guitars but retaining the intensity of the original.
Final track Staying In blends the sound of rain outside, what might be a boiling kettle, and a repetitive piano phrase before trailing off into peaceful humming. It echoes the opening track – and when you flip back to the beginning of the record, opener Going Out sounds positively upbeat after Carla dal Forno has lulled us into a meditative state.
Angine De Poitrine
Vol II
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Canadian rock duo Angine De Pointrine have been getting a lot of attention with their new album. Their debut Vol. I came out in 2024. The masked duo appear wearing polka‑dot garb, and their sound is equally bizarre and intriguing.
It’s fast‑paced, with odd high‑pitched vocals thrown in. Album opener Fabienk has an Eastern European feel in its intricate guitar work, but halfway through it all stops — it sounds like a UFO has landed for a second — before taking off in a slightly different direction, with some odd vocals added to the mix.
So begins a journey through six tracks of differing rock vibes. Mata Zykek has a stop‑start feel and more fast‑paced drums and guitar work; increasingly, it gets more complex and frantic. Sarniezz and Utzp continue the journey, while Yor Zarad takes it up another level, just when you thought things couldn’t get more manic or intense. The record closes with Angor, which opens with a throbbing drumbeat and matching guitar, and just keeps adding more and more layers. If you love this oddness, go check out their earlier album too.
Related Posts
