Anika
Anika
(Stones Throw Records)

With a voice that is comparable to Nico, it’s of no surprise that Anika’s musical style is reminiscent of The Velvet Underground. There’s a vintage flavor in her self-titled debut, which sounds like it was recorded in an empty space during the 60’s or 70’s. There seems to be a barrier between the listener and the music, which just makes you try that much harder to make out what’s being said. Listening to Anika is an active, rewarding experience. 

Recorded in less than two weeks, Anika teamed up with the band Beak>, featuring Geoff Barrow of Portishead. The frenzied pace of the recording makes the result that much more enjoyable, creating a raw delivery that could easily be translated into a live performance. Anika’s day job as a political journalist sets a particular tone for her work, as is made clear with titles like “Officer Officer” and her cover of Bob Dylan’s “Masters of War.” 

In a stripped-down, European sort of way, Anika embodies a certain realm of darkness that’s harsh but beautiful. Fans of minimalist dub and the slower side of punk can be just as pleased by the record that Anika has termed “a collection of uneasy easy listening.”