lndfk: kuni
Francisco Espregueira
Kuni is the groundbreaking, surprising, sublime debut album from Naples-based artist LNDFK (a.k.a. Linda Feki). Released by the reputable Bastard Jazz imprint, this album follows the rise of the half-Italian, half-Tunisian singer, surpassing the expectations that LNDFK was building since her breakout performance at the 2019 Primavera Sound festival. Kuni is a ten-track spellbinding exploration of dichotomies: Love & Death (Eros & Thanatos), Flower & Fire, Delicacy & Violence, Poetry & Realism, Purification & Destruction. These opposites are merged in the album’s multifarious and multifaceted sounds, elegantly meandering through a variety of styles and genres, spearheaded by Linda and featuring the production wizardry of Darrio Bassolino who co-wrote the album.
We need time to absorb everything that this album contains, but we can pinpoint inspirations coming from Joe Hisaishi’s soundtrack for Takeshi Kitano “Hana-bi” film; intricate drum patterns that remind us of Karriem Riggins, Questlove or Yussef Dayes; L.A.-based basslines, as if Thundercat was sitting right in front of us; voice progressions and arrangements that are close to Nai Palm’s and are integrated as if they were an additional instrument; we can hear jazz from the 60’s, neo soul from the 90’s and futuristic perspectives.
LNDFK provides us an unique album, showcasing extreme levels of creativity that explode in our speakers leaving us in awe. Kuni brings a message and a sonic palette that is unconventional and exploratory, testifying LNDFK’s intention. Two or three paragraphs are extremely short to talk about this album. Each track is a matryoshka doll that you can open and explore by yourself, because Linda leaves many rabbit holes of inspirations and influences and vulnerabilites that are there as an invitation to delve into other forms of art. And that is beautiful… Kuni is available on vinyl, don’t sleep on this one. Also, don’t miss LNDFK’s debut EP Lust Blue, released a few years ago.