BLK JKS - Abantu / Before Humans [Glitterbeat Records Promo]

Put out on the circuit via the ever active imprint that is Glitterbeat Records is "Abantu / Before Humans", the latest - and sophomore! - album outing by Johannesburg-based quartet BLK JKS after their widely acclaimed longplay debut hit the stores back in 2009. Described as 'South African art-rock band' by The New York Times and championed by the likes of Diplo, The Roots, Dave Grohl, TV On The Radio and The Mars Volta alike we see BLK JKS making a genre bending return with this nine tracks spanning album, starting on a deep, fascinating and somewhat ruminant level with the tribal chants of "Yela Oh!" atop an inward-looking and dark'ish, if not brooding Campfire Rock backdrop followed by the brass-heavy Tex-Mex Hyperfusion sound of "Running – Asibaleki / Sheroes Theme", later on progressing into spatial, comforting IndieFolk in "Harare" featuring Morena Leraba on vocals, a tune that evokes memories of the 2012 Indie meets Afro sensation that was Sinkane, a dreamy, tender, emotional, brass-heavy and slightly 90s leaning Afro Alt.Rock vision named "Human Hearts" or, for a closing named "Mmao Wa Tseba – Nare / Indaba My Children", a widescreen, panoramic and surely Jazz-infused sound for hot summer sunsets just to pick a few. Defo an album that encourages multiple deep listening sessions to fully embrace each and every level on this one.