"Ibeyi" means "twins" in the Yoruba language. Although Lisa-Kainde Diaz and Naomi Diaz were born and raised in Paris, Afro-Cuban elements are readily apparent in their music. That's something attributed to familial links and their upbringing; Anga Diaz, a member of Buena Vista Social Club and famed Cuban percussionist, is their father, and the sisters spent a lot of time in Havana and other parts of the country while growing up. Ash, Ibeyi's sophomore full-length, is a sublime amalgam of said influences and the duo's affinity for electronic music, hip-hop and r&b. The Diazs push a distinct, spiritually-guided sound that mixes tribal rhythms with synthesized notes, and over the sparsely produced beats, they lament about the political and social status quo. But Ibeyi, singing in English, Yoruba, Spanish, and French, ultimately offer a optimistic outlook, and that dichotomy gives Ash the complexity and depth that listeners can really revel in. Stunning release, check out: "Me Voy," "Away Away," "Numb," "Deathless" featuring Kamasi Washington," and "I Wanna Be Like You." Recommended.

• music label: XL Recordings 2017

reviewed by nakaveli 10/2017