July 23 street date. When asked to describe the circumstances that influenced her beautifully fraught new work, Berlin-based musician Annika Henderson - better known simply as Anika - quickly articulates a set of feelings and unpredictable circumstances that are familiar to anyone who tried to make art - or simply tried to live through - the recent global pandemic. Given that it has been 11 years since the release of her last solo album, 2010 cult-favorite "Anika", the artist suddenly found herself with a lot to say. Recorded at a time when literally everyone in the world was being forced to take stock, rethink, and reimagine their own place in the cosmos of things, Anika provides the wisened perspective of an outsider. It's a perspective that is not lost on the British ex-pat and former political journalist. Despite the subject matter and the circumstances around its creation, "Change" itself is ultimately a treatise on optimism.
July 23 street date. When asked to describe the circumstances that influenced her beautifully fraught new work, Berlin-based musician Annika Henderson - better known simply as Anika - quickly articulates a set of feelings and unpredictable circumstances that are familiar to anyone who tried to make art - or simply tried to live through - the recent global pandemic. Given that it has been 11 years since the release of her last solo album, 2010 cult-favorite "Anika", the artist suddenly found herself with a lot to say. Recorded at a time when literally everyone in the world was being forced to take stock, rethink, and reimagine their own place in the cosmos of things, Anika provides the wisened perspective of an outsider. It's a perspective that is not lost on the British ex-pat and former political journalist. Despite the subject matter and the circumstances around its creation, "Change" itself is ultimately a treatise on optimism.
July 23 street date. When asked to describe the circumstances that influenced her beautifully fraught new work, Berlin-based musician Annika Henderson - better known simply as Anika - quickly articulates a set of feelings and unpredictable circumstances that are familiar to anyone who tried to make art - or simply tried to live through - the recent global pandemic. Given that it has been 11 years since the release of her last solo album, 2010 cult-favorite "Anika", the artist suddenly found herself with a lot to say. Recorded at a time when literally everyone in the world was being forced to take stock, rethink, and reimagine their own place in the cosmos of things, Anika provides the wisened perspective of an outsider. It's a perspective that is not lost on the British ex-pat and former political journalist. Despite the subject matter and the circumstances around its creation, "Change" itself is ultimately a treatise on optimism.
July 23 street date. When asked to describe the circumstances that influenced her beautifully fraught new work, Berlin-based musician Annika Henderson - better known simply as Anika - quickly articulates a set of feelings and unpredictable circumstances that are familiar to anyone who tried to make art - or simply tried to live through - the recent global pandemic. Given that it has been 11 years since the release of her last solo album, 2010 cult-favorite "Anika", the artist suddenly found herself with a lot to say. Recorded at a time when literally everyone in the world was being forced to take stock, rethink, and reimagine their own place in the cosmos of things, Anika provides the wisened perspective of an outsider. It's a perspective that is not lost on the British ex-pat and former political journalist. Despite the subject matter and the circumstances around its creation, "Change" itself is ultimately a treatise on optimism.
April 8 street date. Twice JUNO-nominated and two-time Polaris Prize listed, Toronto's soul songstress Tanika Charles unveils her album "Papillon de Nuit: The Night Butterfly". Composed and recorded while in and out of lockdowns, "Papillon de Nuit" is an album anchored in growth and maturity. The thematic inspiration came from an unlikely source, a creature that soars after the sun sets, but often goes unnoticed until the light shines on it. It is the "papillon de nuit" to some, but drably referred to as a moth by others, revealing a bias in language alone. Following the success of "Soul Run" (2016/17) and "The Gumption" (2019), Tanika had found a comfortable pace of releasing albums then hitting the road the following year to bring her show to new markets far and wide. So when things changed for all of us, and plans of touring "The Gumption" properly fell through, there was a realization that getting to work on the next project was the healthiest choice to make.
April 8 street date. Twice JUNO-nominated and two-time Polaris Prize listed, Toronto's soul songstress Tanika Charles unveils her album "Papillon de Nuit: The Night Butterfly". Composed and recorded while in and out of lockdowns, "Papillon de Nuit" is an album anchored in growth and maturity. The thematic inspiration came from an unlikely source, a creature that soars after the sun sets, but often goes unnoticed until the light shines on it. It is the "papillon de nuit" to some, but drably referred to as a moth by others, revealing a bias in language alone. Following the success of "Soul Run" (2016/17) and "The Gumption" (2019), Tanika had found a comfortable pace of releasing albums then hitting the road the following year to bring her show to new markets far and wide. So when things changed for all of us, and plans of touring "The Gumption" properly fell through, there was a realization that getting to work on the next project was the healthiest choice to make.
April 26 street date. Limited edition 45 vinyl with two brand new tracks from Toronto soul Queen Tanika Charles. On the A-side "Love Overdue" (from her forthcoming new album "The Gumption") is an irresistible R&B/Soul mover that equally pays homage to Amy Winehouse and 60s Club Soul. On the flipside the floor shaking "Remember to Remember" sounds like Diana Ross & The Supremes produced by Drake, explosive contemporary Motown soul with an urban/hip hop/breaks twist.
May 17 street date. Record Kicks presents the new album by Juno Award and Polaris Music Prize-nominated Canadian soul star Tanika Charles, produced by a stable of some of Canada's finest musical minds including DJ Kemo (The Rascalz, Kardinal Offishall), Chin Injeti (DJ Khalil, Eminem, Drake) and Daniel Lee (Hooded Fang, Phedre). "The Gumption" picks up where "Soul Run" left off, continuing her tradition of marrying classic soul with modern production styles. Across a dozen songs spanning 38 minutes, Tanika addresses moments of vulnerability, vindication, uncertain love, forbidden fruit and the state of the world today. Predominately guitar-driven mid-tempo soul, with a handful of dance floor friendly tunes and some psychedelic leanings, "The Gumption" was indirectly influenced by the likes of Alabama Shakes, The Supremes, Khruangbin, D'Angelo, and Moses Sumney. It is sonically moody at times, but with consistent silver-lining arcs.
May 17 street date. Record Kicks presents the new album by Juno Award and Polaris Music Prize-nominated Canadian soul star Tanika Charles, produced by a stable of some of Canada's finest musical minds including DJ Kemo (The Rascalz, Kardinal Offishall), Chin Injeti (DJ Khalil, Eminem, Drake) and Daniel Lee (Hooded Fang, Phedre). "The Gumption" picks up where "Soul Run" left off, continuing her tradition of marrying classic soul with modern production styles. Across a dozen songs spanning 38 minutes, Tanika addresses moments of vulnerability, vindication, uncertain love, forbidden fruit and the state of the world today. Predominately guitar-driven mid-tempo soul, with a handful of dance floor friendly tunes and some psychedelic leanings, "The Gumption" was indirectly influenced by the likes of Alabama Shakes, The Supremes, Khruangbin, D'Angelo, and Moses Sumney. It is sonically moody at times, but with consistent silver-lining arcs.
September 27 street date. Three friends from the east coast - Augusta Koch (Cayetana), Sheena Ozella (Lemuria), and Anika Pyle (Katie Ellen) - gather for a nature getaway and create music. The result is Sheena, Anika, & Augusta "Simple Pleasures". Hauntingly beautiful, lush harmonies, dreamy eyes shut holding on to your friend's hand music. This is a one time pressing of 500 7 inches.