MAGELLA – Checkmate [EP]

Montreal native and rising artist MAGELLA proves that she really knows how to craft tunes that are thoroughly majestic on her debut EP, Checkmate. It is a teeming production that pullspulling together pieces of jazz, electronica, and alt-leaning soul under one flag.

The hypnotic opener, “Afro Blue“, takes a stripped-back approach to a jazz standard originally recorded over 60 years ago. Our musical guide ably taps into the rich aspects of Mongo Santamaria‘s original composition while creating a sumptuous acapella environment for listeners to get lost in. The mood that’s created by “Dirty Ice” mimics the one I feel every time I watch a storm creep in from the sea. Watching that last glimmer of a sunny day give way to distant thunder and grey skies always creates this strange mix of stillness and forewarning in me – and so does this piece. The song’s percussions have a subtle afrobeat swing to them and the quivering organ chords set a darkly baroque tone. That melancholic energy switches up with the follow-up track, “F*ck Boy“ – a number that is full of acid-jazz pep and Jill Scott-level sass.

Slightly past the halfway point of the album, MAGELLA delivers a brief swell of psychedelic soul called “Neptune” before filling a cigarette smoke filled room with her absorbing voice on “Black Widow“. And closing cut “Island” ends the album with MAGELLA‘s poignant songwriting and stirring vocals – providing a gorgeous bookend to opening track “Afro Blue”.

In drawing things to a close, I have to compliment the connective-unit spirit to Checkmate. The sextet of songs gives us a strong impression of what MAGELLA has to offer as a artist and delivers subtlety and complexity all at once.

Stream & buy MAGELLA’s music on…
( Amazon | Apple Music | Bandcamp | Deezer |Spotify | Tidal | YouTube Music)

https://magella.bandcamp.com/album/checkmate

Connect with MAGELLA on…
( Facebook | Instagram | Official Site | Soundcloud | Twitter | YouTube )