You Should be Listening: Onra - Chinoiseries 1 & 2

The Parisian producer is perhaps one of the most unique artists I have come across. At the time of the release of Chinoiseries pt 1 there wasn’t anyone who was doing what he did. The premise of the album was to bring together Asian samples from China, Vietnam, Cambodia etc and hip-hop beats. Stylistically comparisons can be drawn to J Dilla. The production is seamless, blending these two very disparate disciplines of music together in a way with enough nuance and intrigue that begs the question why has nobody done this before? Occasionally tracks wander off piste and venture down cul-de-sacs without an escape route. Some samples feel like square pegs in round holes, trying too hard to fit into the melody but instead sounding jarring. Songs such as 'The Arrival' and 'Remember the Name' are examples of this - cloudy and clumsy. The first instalment arguably has more stand out moments on the album such as 'The Anthem' - possibly the most recognised beat of Onra’s most famous track - the melancholy vocal melody of 'Relax In Mui New', Jangly bells and swirling brassLast 'Tango In Saigon' and romantic string jaunts of 'The Vallee Of Love'. The second chapter however has better tracks as a whole - cohesive units. The eerie and mysterious 'Mai’s Theme', the bizarre orchestral swoons of 'Warrior’s Pride' to the industrial percussive sounds on 'It’s All Memories'. Essentially Pt 1 feels like a holiday. You’re a tourist and you see all the sights and beauty of the place but you inevitably make mistakes and waste some time. Part 2 is a return visit, you’re wiser to the place, you feel more confident, more at home and can absorb a greater sense of community and residence.

A far from perfect couplet of albums, but thats not really the point. It’s an experiment, it sounds like to produce an album like this was fun. It’s beaming with fresh ideas that transcend a breadth of emotion and mood. One minute you’re thrust into the chaotic and angsty world of ‘A New Dynasty’ or the sinister creep of ‘Fight or Die’ before being gracefully met with soothing flutes on ‘Where i’m From’ or the calming guitar loop of ‘Ms. Ho'. The whole notion of recording and producing an album like this - travel around Asia and finding traditional music to chop up with western hi-hop beats - is one that you don’t see much, if at all. It’s melodic, understated and unique - it doesn’t take itself too seriously and the playful honesty of the production will continue to draw you back to it. We’ve compiled a ‘best of Chinoiseries’ Spotify playlist for you to get your chops around.

#music #newmusic #Onra #triphop #hiphop #house