Purveyors of enigmatic dreamscapes and organic, danceable electronica, Leeds based, electronic soul quartet Noya Rao released their debut album, Icaros, this November.
Founded by producer Tom Henry (Cosima, Yellow Days) Noya Rao was originally conceived as a solo production project with a separate live band representation. Alongside bassist Jim Wiltshire and drummer Matt Davies, whom Tom had met playing in other bands within the Leeds music scene, the project grew to become a collaborative effort mixing Tom’s production ideas with the attributes of Jim’s unique bass synth lines and Matt’s polyrhythmic beats. Their compositions drew on the influences of jazz, hiphop and electronic music whilst incorporating the sounds of the bass- heavydub music synonymous with the Leeds music scene. Their sound really came into focus when they met vocalist Olivia Bhattacharjee who brought her gospel style and complex choral harmony to the band. Developing from raw, psychedelic improvisations, their sound became more defined and minimal, underpinned by live instrumentation and more structured songwriting. This coexisting electronic and organic thread gives the band a strong identity and their powerful live show sets them apart from other producerled bands. Matthew Halsall from Gondwana Records saw the band perform at an intimate show in Manchester in 2016 and blown away, signed the band on the spot.
Tracklisting
1. Azimuth
2. Moments
3. Golden Claw
4. Midas
5. Dreaming Pt.1
6. I Feel
7. Same Sun Will Rise
8. Fly
9. This Time
10. Dreaming Pt.2
