'Golden Retrieve Her' by ADJA

'What's Going On?' - a question posed by Marvin Gaye in 1971 and asked by a litany of musical artists ever since.  Perhaps it's a question we're forever destined to ask of our society as we continue to find ourselves overwhelmed by political divide, the ongoing threat of war, the continual threat of climate change... It's a never-ending onslaught that finds us all in opposition with each other or finds us slowly conforming to manipulation that slowly ushers in the new "norm".

The new release from Adja Fassa continues in that lineage of impassioned voices ultimately seeking to inspire independent thought - a change from the beaten path beautifully conveyed from her debut full-length, 'Golden Retrieve Her'.

Fassa rode the wave of praise and plaudits following the release of her EP 'IRONEYE' back in 2023 - also available through Sdban Records - which served as the introduction of the singer and songwriter's wonderfully innovative blend of neo-soul, R&B and nu-jazz delivering a true standout for the Belgian-based label.

And that's really saying something - as a progressive label that champions distinctly unique jazz that thrives on elements of fusion, electronica and global grooves and perspectives, Sdban have bestowed absolute treasures from artists including KAU, Azmari and Dishwasher.  Musically, ADJA may offer a stark contrast to the label's archetypal jazz aesthetic but Fassa's ideologies are very much in sync when it comes to an artist carving out their own lane.

A storyteller at heart, Fassa has consistently relied upon narratives as a way to connect with her music - whether it be through 'IRONEYE' or 'Golden Retrieve Her', Fassa adeptly finds interpersonal qualities through her writing and performance cultivating the technique as an artform of its own.  

Across the album's eleven tracks, Adja seeks to tackle "the impact our capitalistic society has on our most intimate moments" (as described via the project's Bandcamp page).  'Golden Retrieve Her' flows through so many of our now commonplace social rituals with commentary that ranges from biting wit to forlorn lament.  Adja's entire approach is inspired and she proves herself a sensational vocalist, an incredibly nuanced artist and intricate writer able to tackle such meticulous subject matter with charm and personality.

Ultimately, we have become a society driven by social media acceptance and approval, beholden to big business, susceptible to online trends and moulded into a "I want it now" culture that looks at time and patience as outdated philosophies.  Are things likely to change? Perhaps not, but at least we'll keep asking... "What's going on?"