Bock, Naima: Below A Massive Dark Land (CD)

Most of the writing of Naima Bock’s second album, Below A Massive Dark Land was a solitary affair. It may not sound it – it’s made up of strong, purposeful arrangements with a huge host of musicians; filled with cradling space and warm light. This will also come as a surprise to anyone who has seen Naima perform in the time since the release of her 2022 debut Giant Palm, undoubtedly a communal experience.

With a band of ten, three, or even just solo, when Naima plays there’s a rare bond between the musicians on stage and the audience. In their interview with her, The Quietus declared “after every song the applause and cheering is immense, so immense in fact that it seems to be coming from a different place than the usual formalities of a live show, a link between performer and artist forged somewhere deeper and more personal.”

It was in Giant Palm’s music too, a record that sweeps and swells, a chorus of voices and instrumentation that rises and falls as one alongside Naima’s own somersaulting voice.

1. Gentle
   
2. Kaley
   
3. Feed My Release
   
4. My Sweet Body
   
5. Lines
   
6. Further Away
   
7. Takes One
   
8. Age
   
9. Moving
   
10. Star