Samm Henshaw, Untidy Soul

"I'm a bit of a scatterbrain most of the time. Creating for me is never a clean and simple sort of process, and it was me learning to accept that and be OK with that....I think for me, genuinely, it's about growth." 

Samm Henshaw

Raised in London in a Nigerian household, Henshaw's first focus was working to earn a degree and go on to teach. Music, making music, and finding a way into the music industry was not a thing. But while in university, with the encouragement of a friend, Henshaw started creating and posting his music on YouTube. This creative outlet did then become his focus and eventually formed the basis of his dissertation. That dissertation then became his first official EP release. And then, upon graduating, Henshaw found himself signing a contract with a record label that was waiting for him. And the rest as they say is history? Well, at least the start of what should be a long history as a recording artist starting with his debut album, Untidy Soul. It's a real gem of an album and one that I have been thoroughly enjoying.

 

Aurora, The Gods We Can Touch

I have been a bit captivated by Norwegian singer and songwriter Aurora since I first heard her debut album, All My Demons Greet Me as a Friend, back in 2016. There was something captivating about the intersection between her angelic and ethereal voice and her fusion of pop, electro and synth pop, and folktronica music. But, as with any young and developing artist, there was still work to be done to fuse it all together in a truly cohesive way. On her third album, The Gods We Can Touch, Aurora has done just that and so much more.

An album inspired by Greek mythology and the intersection between the divine and the human, The Gods We Can Touch weaves stories of myths and mythos in contemporary times and settings. They serve as reminders, says Aurora, of things that we have forgotten. "We used to worship the earth, and music was a way of connecting us to something divine," she recently said in an interview. "I love Greek mythology because [they didn't] put shame on being a woman, or being gay, or being trans or sexual and curious. I'm fascinated by how much we've lost over time, and how much shame we put into beautiful things."

It is here, in the context of the intersection between the divine and the human that Aurora's voice and music realize new levels of connection, power, and impact. Aurora doesn't just draw you in as a listener, you become a participant, sharing in her moods, feelings, and emotions. It's no small feat on her part and will leave you with the same wonder that Aurora has for ancient times.