KADIJA KARAMA – EP REVIEW

Kadija Karama – Nothing Left to Lose 

Kadija Karama - Nothing Left to Lose
Release Date: Out now

Turn those lights down a little, let me pour you a glass of wine, take the phone off the hook (put it on silent, if you must) and let’s put this one on the record player and wait for that crackle. Londoner Kadija Karama has created a sumptuous EP for us and I think it deserves our proper attention so if you’ve got the time then let’s have a listen. The first of the four tracks, ‘Nothing Left to Lose’, starts with the scratchy blues guitars of the Alabama Shakes and the shimmying swagger of Joss Stone but with a little more grit to those low soulful notes. Comparisons have been made to Lenny Kravitz which I get from a musical point of view but for me this is something closer to Janis Joplin or Mama Cass as an overall style. Next up there’s ‘Running in the Name of the Game’ which has a more contemporary vibe to it that brings to mind the Noisettes as the drums rumble and guitars swing with aplomb to create a sense of something approaching, something good but something indefinable on the horizon. The anticipation is palpable.

The dirty, fuzzed up bass of ‘Eyes on You’ is matched by the sensual soul of Kamara’s voice that knocks any of the pop pretenders in to the corner with one sultry groan. This is the party piece of the EP but it’s not a reckless, beer guzzling party, rather a sophisticated, classy and fun affair full of cool, interesting and engaging people at every turn. The collection closes out with ‘Like You’, a track that opens with something akin to whale song before a gentle, Sunday morning piano riff unfurls with Kamara’s soft, gospel vocal and suddenly the world stops. If you stop and give this song the full five and a bit minutes of luscious piano, vocals and strings then I guarantee it will do your soul good which we could all do with. It might make you smile, it might make you cry or it might make you just take a few deep breaths and hug the person nearest to you but whatever the reaction I guarantee it will be just what you need. Kadija Kamara is a rare and prodigious talent, one that should be cherished and hailed for what she brings to the table so you can start by wrapping your ears around this EP.


Live Dates:

27th February – LADY presents EP Launch @ The Finsbury, London w/Amy Lawton + Morgan Munroe + Handson Family

Listen Here:

https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/1P9IvcTG6ywm6yW3ASDnkg

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