Dunes
Amsterdam based singer-songwriter Nakeyo offers a refreshing take on infatuation and agony on the artistic, measured and quietly vibrant ‘Dunes’, produced by Lawrence Mace. Although born in the Netherlands, Nakeyo spent much of her childhood living in Africa, fortifying her cultural expressionism and heavily influencing her musical sensibilities. Merging generic boundaries between R&B, pop and Afro, Nakeyo tells stories of love and self reflection in a composed and striking manner, using her unique vocal tonality, and ability to paint picturesque and vivid imagery, to tell her tales. Dunes is accompanied by a vibrant and moody visual.
The Mace produced instrumental is velvety and compassionate, consisting of airy, nectarous synth chords and busy percussion, maintaining a subtle pace and vitality to the beat. The mix is light and bouncy, almost making the listener feel like they are floating whilst consuming the sonic inflections. The vocals are salient and radiant, with layered harmonies and memorable melodic phrases lurking throughout. The songwriting is punchy and compelling, describing a relationship in an emotionally potent and profound way.
Dunes settles Nakeyo as an enlightening and adept performer and lyricist, making her an artist worth keeping an eye on.