There is something happening tomorrow, and we simply cannot contain ourselves enough to wait to tell you. That’s why this Editor’s Pick is all about this week’s most anticipated release.
After four years in the making, Wayne Snow is finally releasing his ten track project Figurine! Finally… FINALLY!
You might remember Snow from when he enraptured us with his single ‘Seventy’, or when we fell deeply in love with him with his stunning visuals for ‘The Thrill’. The Nigerian born, Berlin based neo-soul artist has been channeling the sun-kissed, soulful vibes of his homeland ever since his first encounter with a synthesizer as a child. And despite his name, the is nothing cold about him, nor the music he makes. Honestly, listening to him is actually like being engulfed by the sweetest of warmths.
Photos courtesy of Wayne Snow
Figurine is a conceptual, personal work of depth and reflection, one that critically considers humanity’s obsession with masks and our creation of avatars. Inspired as much by nature and the work of social psychologist Erich Fromm, as the music of Fela Kuti and King Sunny Ade, Figurine is not a full stop. Rather, it’s an invitation – to think, to probe, and to sink into Snow’s bright, storied music.
Produced together with Crayon, Nu Guinea, Brandt Brauer Frick and featuring acclaimed future-jazz artist Oscar Jerome, Snow employs a delightful array of neat details and flourishes that highlight his compositional brilliance.
The Nigerian artist has accomplished a masterful melange of neo-soul, alternative pop, R&B, and soultronica, and spiced it up with a splash of jazz here and there. A recipe for magic.
The record explores the question – “Who is the real you?”
A question that I’m sure, many of us encounter on an uncomfortable basis. Well, Snow faced this question head on, and stood his ground in facing his very personal exploration of individuality, unhealthy obsession with social media, and rebirth.
Figurine sees love and increasing alienation deconstructed, a happening on par with modern day relationships – with others, and with ourselves. All of which is intertwined with the artist’s Nigerian heritage, and deep sense of pride and admiration for his home country.
The project’s breath-taking visual identity has been carefully crafted by the album’s Art/Video Directo Travys Owen. The wonders that come to life when two visionaries collide. Thank you universe.
We’re not so mean as to tell you all this, and give you nothing to handle the need for Snow until Figurine comes out tomorrow…
So here you go, in case you missed it, check out Wayne Snow’s performance of his title track for COLORS.
