Search - Sainkho Namtchylak :: Stepmother City

Vocalist Sainkho Namtchylak is a master of the unique multi-octave Tuvan throat-singing style, which is known for its deep guttural moans as well as high-pitched whistles and buzzing overtones. Namtchylak knows the music traditions of her homeland (located just south of Siberia), but these days she's interested in mutating those traditions. Stepmother City is a wildly diverse work that juxtaposes Tuvan throat singing and music against modern pop, electronic music, and experimental jazz. The Western sounds work great with Namtchylak's amazing voice. As haunting sonic textures provide the backdrops, the vocalist uses her seven-octave range to create a vivid variety of vocal characters that are intermittently sultry pop divas, children, demons, and songbirds, as well as more traditional-sounding singers of the Tuvan, gospel, blues, and opera styles. More accessible than Namtchylak's past work, which leans more toward either the European avant-garde or traditional Tuvan music, Stepmother City will delight and enchant fans of Björk, Diamanda Galas, and Zap Mama. --Tad Hendrickson