Malka
Album: Marching To Another Beat
Label: Tantrum
Tracks: 10
Website: http://www.malkamusic.co.uk/

Welcome to the chameleon world of Tamara Schlesinger. MALKA is the latest musical alter ego of the former 6 Day Riot front singer and her third solo album but her debut as MALKA. 'Marching To Another Beat' is a logical extension of the loop based sound of the 2012 'The Procession'. That experimental reflective sound that places more emphasis on the vocals is still there on 'Marching To Another Beat' but the album gives you an opportunity to listen on two distinct levels, as background music or concentrate on the textures of the sounds as there is enough clever ideas and inventiveness to full a warehouse. Granted I'm no expert on the genre but it's probably, after many plays, one of the best electro alt- pop albums I've heard.

Released through her own Tantrum Records label 'Marching To Another Beat' has given her complete studio freedom to co-produce and to play all the instruments, some better than others as is evident from the percussion loops and the use of handclaps and clicks. This ain't no criticism as it would have taken away some of the uniqueness of the overall sound, and this tribal, rhythmic distinct beat along with MALKA's delicate, eloquent velvety, and at times ethereal vocals, are at the core of the album.

Lyrically the album is very personal and gives an intrinsic insight into the world of MALKA or is it Tamara…… interesting as a Psychologist would undoubtedly say.

"Into the Night" the opening track about Insomnia and terrors of the night contains some gorgeous alt- pop harmonies and soaring vocal flourishes has grown on me with subsequent plays, the Burundi beat and handclap start of "Wrap it Up" eventually leads to one of the best bridges I've heard in a long time. The deep underlying honesty of lyrics such as 'My legs are growing heavy as I slow my pace, And time is catching up with the lines on my face' makes "My Body (takin over)" essential listening and one song which has UK Eurovision entry stamped all over it, especially give the utterly turgid crap we have had represent us recently.

The jaunty "Let It Go" is very reminiscent of a slowed down version of The Bangles 'Walk like An Egyptian' meets Florence and the Machine with subtle electronics trimmings and an acrimonious chant of 'You are only wasting air, on her on her on her on her, Don't Care' is a track which quickly seeps in to the old grey matter and manifests itself at times you least expect it to. "I've Never Needed Love" starts off like a saccharine pop song; rhythmic handclaps, sing along melody, but soon grows into something more mature with bittersweet lyrics and extensive layering. One of the most interesting tracks is "Burn On the Fire" with elements of the last four decades of pop music thrown into the tribal beat, cowbell percussion high in the mix, trombone like bass synth underpinning the upbeat tune and the cherry on top of sugary sweet vocals accompanied by layered chants of 'nah' and 'ooh'.

The rhythmic handclaps and clicks are back to the fore on "Jumpin the Line", there is a completely different feel to the electronic soundscapes of "I've Got Nothing" with frank poignant lyrics: - 'It's just a number, That drags me down again, It's not the answer I need, I'm not a stranger to courting danger, I risked my sanity to breathe'' and a bittersweet chorus of: - 'I've got nothing here without you'. A vocal and an electronic simulated steam train sets the scene for the moody film noir of "Wrong Side of This Town" which closes the album. The slowest and longest track of the album it closes with the vocal refrain: - 'Walk on the wrong side, wrong side of this town'.

The album would have sounded cluttered if not for the brilliant mastering of Ed Woods who has knack of making sure that each sound layer has a distinct uncompressed place in the overall feel.

At just over 31 minutes long, 'Marching To Another Beat' it may be a shortish album but it's certainly what's known as a grower

Chris Light