Elsewhere

Description

Denai Moore releases her debut album, Elsewhere. The album was produced by Rodaidh McDonald (The XX, Adele, Daughter, Sampha) in London, except Blame and Feeling which are co-produced with Ben Drew (Plan B). The album follows Denais acclaimed introductory EP releases. Stratford-raised Denai Moore has gone through a telling transition since first uploading an early recording of her 2012 demo Flaws. It was a beautifully sung, folk and RnB-informed track that deservedly brought Denai quick attention, and gave an indication that this songwriter had broad ideas. Things moved quickly Denai signed to Because Music (Metronomy, Little Dragon, Django Django) and then Ben Drew was in touch wanting to work with her on production. A much vaunted solo spot on Laterwith Jools Holland followed, Denai commanding a grand piano under the studio spotlight. This girls really special! remarked a YouTube commenter days later. To discuss influences is to give very little indication of what route Denai was to take or indeed has ultimately taken. Shes as passionate about the music of Joey Bada and Tinashe as she is of Bon Iver, Kendrick Lamar, and Foals. Raurys music excites her, whilst James Vincent McMorrow contributed to a track on her I Swore EP. Denais cover of Band of Horses Part One was heard by the band and her version re-recorded by them. At the tail-end of last year, it came as little surprise that Denais distinctive soul voice could be heard on SBTRKTs acclaimed 2014 album, on the track The Light, which she co-wrote with him. Denai recently completed a UK and European tour in support of and in collaboration with him. Elsewhere will undoubtedly surprise the early-birds that had Denai pigeon-holed from her early recordings. Yes, soul, folk, and indie are genres that Denai winds through, and indeed, if you take the songs back to their skeleton-frame, its still very much about her startling, vulnerable voice, but there is a sparseness and atmosphere on the LP that recalls something deeper and decidedly more left of centre. The captivating I Swore EP drew 2014 to a melodic close and gave a hint as to whats to come. Denai (aided solely by piano) performed a live session on Huw Stephens Radio 1 show at the tail end of the year, whilst the EPs title track was lauded as BBC Introducing Track of the Week on 1Xtra. These songs at their rawest in subject matter are united by heartbreak, testing times, and impending opportunity, all written and performed by a young woman with the world at her feet and her expectations looking up to the stars. Barely into her twenty-second year, Denai has achieved plenty, but in real terms, has barely begun in reaching an audience that could realistically crossover any makeshift divide or genre specifics. British pop-culture bible i-D have recently anointed Denai Moore into their revered Class Of 2015 series, but truth be told, shes a young artist in a class of her own.