Replace Florence’s Welch’s flame red curls with sleek, jet black waves, her trademark Victorian ruffles with black smocks and skinny jeans and lo and behold; we’re presented with 21 year old Nika Danilova, responsible for Zola Jesus’ fixating vocals. An American singer/songwriter who has previously toured with the likes of Fever Ray, Danilova possesses a set of lungs Welch would be jealous of, swapping harps and glitter for the crashing drums and eerily consuming melodies that group Zola Jesus are blissfully capable of.
Consisting of just six tracks, Stridulum is the perfect balance between love and hate, comprised of electronic tinged power ballads with lyrics that seem far too aged for Danilova’s youthful mind. However, with vocals to challenge the best of them, it’s no surprise she’s resting comfortably on another level.
Despite their dark and gloomy image, tracks such as I Can’t Stand offer comforting words – ‘I can’t stand to see you this way, it’s going to be alright’, exclaiming that ‘... it’s not easy to let things go’. It’s difficult to tell whether Zola Jesus are offering a helping hand or whether it’s a moment of self rationality, but either way it makes for good listening - hypnotizing in fact. Trust Me appears to follow the same route; ‘When you’re lost, you know I’ll be around’. These moments allow us to put the darker face of Zola Jesus aside, opting to be inspired and reassured instead.
Of course, their upcoming debut single must be mentioned; it is one of the strongest tracks on the EP after all, (in my opinion of course). Night is the epitome of Danilova’s vocal strength, creeping from an eerie and mysterious introduction into a full blown drum ridden crescendo. A tale of indulgent lust, Night has a mesmerizing effect, fading into an electronic ensemble of horror-like synths.
This is without a doubt a group you’ll not want to hear the last of. Surprisingly refreshing, perhaps it’s about time we gave way to the devil on our shoulder. After all, Welch and Co can’t take the top spot forever, right?
And for those bright enough to lend an ear, here is Night.
Consisting of just six tracks, Stridulum is the perfect balance between love and hate, comprised of electronic tinged power ballads with lyrics that seem far too aged for Danilova’s youthful mind. However, with vocals to challenge the best of them, it’s no surprise she’s resting comfortably on another level.
Despite their dark and gloomy image, tracks such as I Can’t Stand offer comforting words – ‘I can’t stand to see you this way, it’s going to be alright’, exclaiming that ‘... it’s not easy to let things go’. It’s difficult to tell whether Zola Jesus are offering a helping hand or whether it’s a moment of self rationality, but either way it makes for good listening - hypnotizing in fact. Trust Me appears to follow the same route; ‘When you’re lost, you know I’ll be around’. These moments allow us to put the darker face of Zola Jesus aside, opting to be inspired and reassured instead.
Of course, their upcoming debut single must be mentioned; it is one of the strongest tracks on the EP after all, (in my opinion of course). Night is the epitome of Danilova’s vocal strength, creeping from an eerie and mysterious introduction into a full blown drum ridden crescendo. A tale of indulgent lust, Night has a mesmerizing effect, fading into an electronic ensemble of horror-like synths.
This is without a doubt a group you’ll not want to hear the last of. Surprisingly refreshing, perhaps it’s about time we gave way to the devil on our shoulder. After all, Welch and Co can’t take the top spot forever, right?
And for those bright enough to lend an ear, here is Night.
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