– THE MILITARY COUP –

In 2018, Gaika Tavares – known professionally as GAIKA – released the much-vaunted record, Basic Volume.

Amid the album’s sheer density and opacity shone one particularly bright light; Seven Churches for St. Jude.

Opening with African voices before scything in with a razor-sharp bass line and trap beat, lyrically it cut even deeper.

Addressing themes of religion, violence and judgement it was clear that Tavares took his responsibility to communicate very seriously.

And this commitment (as well as these themes) have made the transition into his music videos – each of which is shot with GAIKA’s specific visual identity and dedication to craft.

This week, Seven Churches became the latest track from Basic Volume to be committed to film and while, visually, I don’t find it as visceral as Crown & Key or Blasphemer, it certainly served as a timely reminder of the power of the song as well as the performer.

Basic Volume is available through Warp records.  

MORE FROM THIS WEEK’S MIX

SHAFIQ HUSAYN FEAT. HIATUS KAIYOTE | CYCLES
DANIEL THORNE | FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD
MARK DE CLIVE-LOWE | O-EDO NIHONBASHI
BALKAN TAKSIM | ZALINA

You can find all of the tracks reviewed above in the 45 Revolutions per Minute playlist below or click to access the 45 RPM Playlist on Spotify itself.

If you like what you hear (or even if you don’t), please engage in dialogue with me @45rpm_Reviews on Twitter. And, if you’d like to receive updates weekly, please subscribe to the email list to get these recommendations sent to your inbox weekly.

– SV –