ALBUM REVIEW: ELi A Free’s “SPACE”
“SPACE”
Ghanaian singer-songwriter; ELi A Free takes us to “SPACE” by merging polyrhythmic sounds of our ancestors with subtle electronic elements.
by Siafa Manequi
As a notorious music buff; I’m always on the look out for new music and luckily I just discovered —SPACE — the current project released by Ghanaian musician and sound creator, ELi A Free.
ELi A Free is a sonic-chameleon who isn’t afraid to colour outside the lines with his sound and it’s obvious on this project. He pulls influences from African polyrhythmic sounds, soul, electronic, jazz, and more. These elements are blended effortlessly to create a soundscape for listening pleasure. Without further ado, let’s dig into ELi A Free’s eight-song sonic masterpiece. Each song will get my honest gut reaction from start to finish.
“The Devil’s Music” is the opening track of this project. The track opens with minimalistic drumming sounds woven seamlessly with the offbeat sound of a rattle (axatse/ shekere) and the timely sound of what might be iron gongs, bells or finger cymbals. The electronic elements are very subtle and it’s not easily detectable by normal ears. ELi A Free enters, singing in Twi with a druggy, but passionate and emotional falsetto. The backing vocals add an ethereal feel to the track. “The Devil’s Music” has a dirge-like aura to it and it forces you to go within yourself for retrospection. The lyrical repetition in the song transports you into a vortex, where you stare directly into the face of God’s messenger as he delivers his message. This song is a spiritual mantra to remind us of the sanctity of life and the power of appreciating what you get in this world. Jojo Abott’s vocals will easily find a home on this masterpiece—just thinking aloud. Honestly, I spent the whole day trying to find the link between the song and its title. “The Devil’s Music” is a riveting, and poignant opener. I’m already hooked, let’s see what’s next!
“Gypsy Road” is the second track on the album. This piece opens with erratic string lines. Bass strings? I’m not sure what strings they are. The piece is layered with scary, distorted sonic and vocal chops (a fiery male & breathy female vocals) that add an eerie ambience to the track. The contrast between the two vocal chops blends effortlessly—ELi’s rich & grounded, and Betina Quest’s light & airy timbre. “Gypsy Road” has a cinematic, film score-ish element that transports you into space with its rapturous, suspenseful piano and violin play fight with additional sweeping atmospheric sounds. “Gypsy Road” is very chaotic, yet soft for your listening pleasure. The chaotic instrumentation stops as ELi A Free enters, singing a cappella with an emotive and intimate vibe. The vocal layering is beautiful and breathtaking. The lyrics of the song is delivered in Twi. The electronic elements are subtle here too. Like “The Devil’s Music”, this song also spews with spirituality and the lyrics reminds us that God can do anything.
“At A Cross Roads” is just a sonic wonderland imbued with rapturous, frantic polyrhythms mixed perfectly with subtle electronic vibes. There’s this ringing sounds that runs across the track—crazy! The abstract instrumental production is spellbinding. There are no vocals on this piece, so you’re left at the mercy of fighting sounds, and they transport you into new realms.
“Smokers Cough” is a soulful song. The strings appear here too. Is it horns I’m hearing? I fucking love it. The instrumentation is impeccable and the lyrics are very poignant. I love the soulful guitar riffs that flows across the track and ELi A Free’s vocal delivery. The lyrics are delivered in Ghanaian pidgin and Twi, in a very druggy tone that I love. ELi A Free sings backing vocals close to whispery without losing his strict sense of melody. The lyrics advises you to dance regardless of your problems and I think the message is relevant for the times.
“Incoherent” is a very emotive track. Like other tracks on “SPACE”, the sonic direction of “Incoherent” is very experimental with a genre-blending vibe. The instrumentation has a hip hop bounce to it & it will get you head bobbing whilst listening. The poignant lyrics are delivered in English, Twi and Ga. Impeccable music production and vocal delivery.
“South West Delhi”, ELi 2.0 & “Traditional Heaven” are instrumental soundscapes that employs polyrhythmic sounds & subtle electronic elements. All these instrumentals are able to conjure deep feelings. I really love the distinctive musical directions of each song. It’s like stepping into a new world of sound when they play. Each track listed here slowly balloons the web of drones and polyrhythms, seamlessly coordinated and throbbing with apprehensive energy—the feeling that anything could happen. Just stunning.
Conclusion: “SPACE” is saturated with the coolness of electronic music and the power of African polyrhythmic sounds, creating an abstract eight-song album. It’s very obvious that ELi A Free thrives in honesty, musical spirituality and sharing the vivid account of the Ghanaian life. This project is intriguing and keeps you at the edge of your seat from beginning to end. ELi A Free expresses a purposeful fluidity of genres and roles that makes him difficult to label. On “SPACE”, he gets lost in the boundless possibilities of sound, space & spirituality. “SPACE” sounds experimental in creation and refined in execution. Honestly, Its ethereal atmosphere is primed for headphones. “SPACE” is emotionally-drive, and it’s crystal clear.
“SPACE” is available on all streaming platforms. Be sure to keep checking out ELi A Free’s Instagram to see what he’s releasing next! And don’t forget to come back here for more awesome new music.
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