Beyond Skin

Mood music for when you're in the mood to test the limits of boredom.

I genuinely do not understand how this can in the list of best albums.

1.8 - I cringe because I would’ve pretended to like this garbage in grad school to ingratiate myself with my intellectual classmates. It would’ve been playing at some potluck dinner where I and half the guests brought store-bought tabouli. This is music to very deeply contemplate, doing your best to deny the voice within screaming at you to shut it off. Because deep down you know this music sucks. The fusion of genres is an utter mess. And it tries so hard to be a concept album but what’s the actual concept? Nuclear annihilation? Xenophobia? The Indian diaspora? The only reason this album gets a pass is because it appeals to peoples’ need to appear smart and worldly. We choke it down and smile politely like we do with our store-bought tabouli.

Really liked that, different

Cool album. The popier stuff reminded me of FKA Twigs and early Massive Attack -- which is a very high compliment. A very ecclectic album with all sorts of influences that I will return to.

Another confusing entry from the editors. Here we have some Indian pop songs that have been watered down heavily with bland new age electronica. The samples the artist uses aren't bad at all, and it's an ok attempt at cross-cultural fusion, but at best this is suited as background music at one of those trendy chains that sell 100 varieties of not so freshly roasted coffee beans and overpriced little spice packets for suburban moms who want to experiment with a little ethnic cooking. It does not however, belong on any list attempting to curate an assortment of music that could even remotely be consider essential listening. 1 hard pass. 🙅

Bro looks like he is nutting

The algorithm must believe that I need another 1 rating to offset all the 5's I've been getting lately. The instrumental track was nice. So were some of the songs with the female vocalists. I was thisclose to bumping this up to a 2, but that album cover just annoys the shit out of me.

Wow. I was really blown away by this one. A diverse album from an artist with seemingly endless talents. The apocalyptic "beyond skin" themes add a lot of gravity.

I enjoyed this one. It was completely different to anything else I’ve heard in this collection so far, and it was nice to listen to. It was interesting and pretty varied and felt like it was introducing me to world music.

First one of these albums that I‘ve never heard of or recognise so it’s refreshing to do a review without any preconception of what it’ll be like... Its alright. A bit too much experimentation and far too high brow for me. There’s a couple of nice songs amongst mostly jarring over the top experiments with the Indian language but nothing stands out as incredible and I probably wouldn’t listen to it again unless for quiet background music with some snobby people. My first guess that this would’ve won the Mercury Prize. I was wrong, but it did get nominated and I really think this is pandering a little bit to the prestigious weirdness of the award.

what a load of artsy shit. not sure why it makes this list - beyond being a token entry for "weird shit". This actively annoyed me so 1/5.

Some 90s trip-hop, pop, indian/world music thing. Some of the songs were really great and almost bumped my score up but then some were just painfully bad and pulled it back down again.

I simply can't find this coffee-shop electronic interesting. It's too much precisely like the other world-compilation-sounding duds on the list, and I made the additional mistake of reading reviews. So many comments about "experimentalism"; There's nothing experimental here! It's literally just got a few samples and recordings of traditional percussion. Shame, since the fact that the West's most terrifying military achievement was connected explicitly to the Indian sacred is a legitimately tempting concept. But when the parodic synth instrument entered after the first vocal snippet I knew more or less what I was in for. (I should also note that the cover reminds me of Lafawndah's Fifth Season and the two projects are not totally dissimilar. My appreciation for that album illuminates the flaws in this review, I hope.)

Transcendent. Jazzy, cinematic. Excellent. The first track isn't really my cup of tea, but then it takes off from there.

A bit out-there in places, but there's some really interesting tracks on this album. Lots of diversity in the style of tracks - particularly liked the drum and bass influences in 'Nadia' and the hip-hop feel of 'Pilgrim'. Not sure I'd frequently play this album, but I enjoyed listening to it on the whole.

This sounds like what plays endlessly in one of those hotel lobbies that has a water dispenser with cucumbers in it and has a house aroma, like W or some shit.

I think there is great genius in this album. What a labor of love and caring that this prolific artist, operating mostly in the shadows, would use his clout to speak out, beautifully, loudly and passionately, about a cause that concerns him. The production is absolutely stunning, the mixes so complex and yet focused and affecting. The vocals are compelling throughout. The various styles could strike some as too all over the place, but I saw the eclecticism as a way of bringing together many eras and many peoples in a salute to our varied humanity. The concept can be a little heavy-handed at times, but the subject matter is so important that I can let that slide a little. Working backwards in time feels right to me, as it gets us back, at the end of the album, to a time of more innocence and helps us wonder how we might get there again, or where might we be without this threat. This is not an album to put on for easy listening and I wouldn't necessarily dial up songs from it on a whim. But it is an Important album in other ways. I'm glad I've heard it and can see great value in revisiting it in the future.

Personal meets political and programming meets percussion in this imperfect but intriguing meditation on identity and annihilation.

I found this to be mildly boring and frequently irritating.

Fuck you! Jag lyssnade på annan musik i högtalarna hemma. När jag satte på denna skrek Kajsa från andra rummet, "stäng av!". Jag kände samma, men sa att vi nu måste kämpa oss igenom. Tillsammans är vi starka! Jag ville verkligen inte lyssna klart. Detta är första gången det tagit emot. Förstår inte skivan. Det är en kaotisk blandning, inget är bra. Blandningen av modernt och "världsmusik" är botten. Känns som ett konstprojekt. Blev däremot påmind om nusrat fateh ali khan, som är bra!

Not even good background music. It's like Sade got put through the X Factor machine, only with desperate BTEC Indian samples attached. It's worse than boring, it's bad.

Dogshit

I have gotten slightly weary of some of the downtempo electronic albums that have been offered in this project over 900 albums in. At first I was not excited about this. However, this one got better and better and got my attention as a stand out. It has a strong connecting message along with a great variety of very different sounding tracks. The South Asian sounds woven throughout are only a plus for me.

Just when I thought I was getting the groove of this album, it would throw me something a little different, but still in the flow. I like that, bunches!

Can't quite think what to say about this. Blew my mind a wee bit. Nice one

Really sick Jazz/Trip Hop fusion album. Will keep an eye for it on vinyl.

A potent and innovative album that blends the popularity of the then-popular downtempo music with hindustani music from Sawhney's heritage. The result is a spiritually-rich protest of nuclear armament. Deeply moving, effortlessly timeless, an impressive display of the power of music.

Honestly bad ass one of the best themed albums ive ever heard and the content sadly is as relevant as ever, beautiful album

Very unique and interesting album that blends Indian, jazz, electronic, and classical music. This is definitely an album you won't forget about whether you like the album or not. Mid 4.

The bleak themes and lyrics tie this diverse and exotic LP into a cohesive, meaningful experience. Interesting stuff.

The first song is awesome but some exotic sounds are a bit too much for me. The part is portuguese is also very well done and caught me by surprise.

Some cools songs on here. Can't tell whether I love it or hate it. One minute the album is nice background music and the next it's aggressively shoving soundwaves in your ear (in a bad way). Very unique and sounds like it has a wide range of influences.

Humm, I was listening to this kind of stuff in 99 and never heard of this. Better things going on on MoWax and Ninja Tune. Feel like another box ticking exercise to get the world music quota up

I could barely get through this. Very boring. I really just don't know who this is for.

The attempt to blend multiple genres of music into the most boring hour of music ever was successful.

Though I don’t really go out of my way to listen to Indian classical music, I always enjoy it when I do. So I really liked this album and thought it was a nice refreshing change to most of the albums on this list. I think labelling it as pretentious just because it’s “world music” is.. tacky, to put lightly. I thought the album was cool! I also appreciated the overlying theme of nuclear weapons- not in the sense of yay nuclear weapons, but i thought the storytelling was effective. Especially in the last song, Beyond Skin.

This is so over-hated (maybe I’m sensitive because India and Pakistan recently spent 4 days at war with one another)

Really enjoyed MOST of this - when it was fast and pumping noise! Some lore experimental areas not my bag

Before: Not even a little bit familiar. The cover art is crazy lmao Standout tracks: Broken Skin Homeland Weakest tracks: Nadia Anthem Without Nation During/after: Starting with Broken Skin, my mind is blown. This is fucking great. The vocals are very reminiscent of Sade and the strings and lo-fi sounding synths are the perfect backdrop. There's a hint of Indian influence that goes so hard in conjunction with the vocal sample at the beginning. Great social commentary as well. Letting Go was amazing as well. There's even more Indian influence here with the vocals and sitar(?) throughout. Homelands is SUPER interesting. There's the Indian portion at the beginning with a switch to Portuguese halfway through and English backing throughout. I'm identifying a really diverse range of world music in this track that I don't think I've ever really heard anything similar to. Pilgrim is a great rap track. I'm a fan of the mellow, spoken-word sounding rap like this. I don't love the lyrics though. I'm not sure if I was missing a message within them but they were just kind of lame. Happy to see the vocal samples about the nukes making a return in Tides. This one is a chaotic instrumental with interesting percussion and the sounds of waves in the background that makes for a great interlude. Nadia is not my favorite. I don't think that the driving percussion backing fits well with the vocal tone or melody - it just doesn't sound right. Maybe the eeriness is the goal, but it doesn't vibe super well with my ear. Immigrant continues with the vocal sample and is a beautiful ode to the plight of the disenfranchised, though it had an almost musical theater sound that I didn't vibe with. The snake charmer sounding flute (I'm an uneducated American don't cancel me if I'm wrong) in Serpents is really cool and lends to the world music vibe of this album. Anthem Without Nation didn't do a whole lot for me relative to the rest of the album. Still wonderful, but didn't click as much. I felt the same about Nostalgia, but I think my gripe here was the high pitched female vocals. The backing instrumentals were just as good as the rest of the record. The Conference is another really interesting Indian-inspired track. I'm a sucker for call and response and anthemic vocal melodies like is in the beginning of this one. I don't know how often I'll return to this track because it's not great morning commute or reading a book music, but God are these folks talented. Beyond Skin was the perfect ending. "Now I am become death, destroyer of worlds" being the very last thing we here gave me absolute chills. The perfect way to wrap up such a melancholic, chaotic criticism of war and its impacts. I had no idea what to expect with this record but I was so pleasantly surprised. I'm interested to know more about who did the vocals on each song and I was surprised Really really cool and innovative record. Each track feels like an ode to Sawhney's Indian heritage and upbringing. He's undeniably very talented and versatile (as demonstrated by the range of artists who he composed and produced for) and deserves the awards he's received. My only real complaint is that I would have loved a more solid and cohesive flow between tracks. The transitions between songs felt very choppy and some points and very smooth at other points. The production is great and, although this was released in 1999, it holds up very well. Need a blunt rotation with Nitin Sawhney and Serj Tankian so we can talk about war and western imperialism. 5/5.

I truly loved this. On the site where this project is done this averages at a little over 2.5. I'm convinced the people doing this challenge on the site are some of the most dull people imaginable. Much of the top reviews are yapping about how pretentious and self-serious it is, I was expecting something really inaccessible or out there. So I start playing it and it literally just sounds like DJ Shadow or Thievery Corporation. That's what's polarizing? It's totally listenable and it's good. There's some classical Indian music elements in it. There's some drum and bass. Like '90s trip-hop mixed with classical Indian music. Sure why not. It really honestly works well. At times it does kind of sound like something that would play in an upscale hotel I admit, but fuck it. I will definitely come back to this. One of the rare times I got something from this that only British people know or care about but I think Americans should care too. If you like '90s trip-hop/downtempo/electronica/drum and bass bullshit you will like this.

easy 5/5. amazing find

Wasn't expecting that. Wow. From what I remember I was part of a traveling family that mowed lawns. Other than my sister they weren't really my family. The lawns we did were based on comic book artists an h.r. Geiger. One house asked if I'd run to new york for them and when I told them no they started yelling at me. The other a kid in very 80s prep garb told me he'd give me 40$ and handed me a red bill. Then immediately called someone and started making fun of me for taking a fake $40 bill. I swung something at him hitting him on the side of the head. The group convened and decided to move along. As we started to walk across the street a voice from somewhere started talking about how the kid was friendly with some cops and I imagined it was by his bus stop

I don’t understand enough of anything to quantify how good this album is, but I was hooked line and sinker. How he can put together so many concepts, so many genres so cleanly is remarkable. Big winner here

Amazing

Good diverse ambient album. I know another song by him but was surprised I didn’t hear it on this album

Huge surprise. Never heard of em and this was unique and all over but awesome

Great journey. Was familiar with one song from an old cafe del mar compilation, was great to hear it and how it fits in the album. Have saved and will listen to again.

I had a really good time with this album. After the first two tracks I thought it would be very similar throughout but it's actually quite varied. The spine of the album is a constant but it branches out into other areas. A little jazz piano in 'Tides', a bit of drum and bass with 'Nadia', some chilled out vibes, some more pop orientated tracks. 'Homelands' is more Indian inspired and 'Pilgrim' is down tempo rap. There is some really weird stuff on here. 'The Conference' is absolutely bizarre and I'm not sure if I like it it's that weird. Some of the pop songs are really beautiful though. 'Nostalgia' and especially 'Immigrant' which I really enjoyed a lot and is easily the best track on the album. I'm not sure who the female vocalist is on it but I need to find out, she's got a beautiful voice. Though there are a couple of duds here, the good stuff far outweighs it. I really enjoyed listening and was looking forward to what genre would be next. It kept my attention and kept me very intrigued and interested.

I'm super into this. The concept is stellar, each track super distinct and yet functions as a clear distinct whole. The jungle beats are interspersed with a very tasteful and well executed indian sound blends and instrumentation. Great record.

Such good ambiance

This album slaps! I really like the variety on display here. Some songs felt like they belong in Persona, 'Letting Go' sounded like it belonged in Nier: Automata or Stellar Blade, while others had a drum-n-bass deal going on. I happen to be a sucker for all three. The first 7 songs, with the exception of 'Pilgrims', were amazing. 'Pilgrims' was a low-point. I don't mind the rap, but the instrumentals suffer, which was a huge part of my enjoyment of the album overall I liked the composition of the album and the arrangement as well. It does fall off a bit at the end for me, but I'd still give it a re-listen as a whole. 'Tides' takes my fave slot. I'm glad to have listened to this album!

**Beyond Skin** is the 1999 album by British-Indian musician and composer Nitin Sawhney. It stands as one of the defining works in his discography and a landmark album in the world music and electronica scene. Sawhney’s blend of classical Indian music with Western genres like jazz, drum and bass, and electronica creates a deeply resonant fusion of sounds that serve as the vehicle for his exploration of identity, politics, and culture. ## Overview ### Themes **Beyond Skin** is a politically charged album, with Sawhney grappling with issues like nuclear warfare, nationalism, identity, and the scars of colonialism. Released at the cusp of the new millennium, the album reflects both personal and global concerns. The title, "Beyond Skin," suggests that the album seeks to transcend superficial labels of race, nationality, and identity, addressing the deeper, more universal issues of humanity. ### Production and Musical Style Sawhney’s background in both Eastern and Western classical music is evident throughout the album. His use of live instrumentation—tabla, sitar, and various forms of percussion—alongside electronic programming gives the album a unique sonic depth. Sawhney’s knack for layering diverse sounds, from lush orchestral strings to intricate rhythms, is one of his key strengths as a producer. This eclecticism creates a cinematic soundscape, making **Beyond Skin** more than just an album but an immersive experience. ## Track-by-Track Analysis ### 1. **Broken Skin** The album opens with “Broken Skin,” a track featuring vocals by Tina Grace. The song begins with a gentle, ambient soundscape, slowly building into a blend of Indian classical instruments and Western beats. The lyrics explore themes of emotional fragility and identity, setting the tone for the rest of the album. Sawhney's use of sitar alongside electronic elements here is notable, creating a seamless integration of traditional and contemporary sounds. ### 2. **Letting Go** This track, featuring vocals by Alyssa Brigid, has a softer, more introspective feel. It delves into personal emotions, notably the act of releasing past pain. The minimalist production emphasizes the vocal performance, while Sawhney’s subtle use of tabla in the background gives the song an understated world music flair. The blend of electronica and acoustic instrumentation here is both haunting and poignant. ### 3. **Homelands** Perhaps the most famous track on the album, “Homelands” is a perfect example of Sawhney’s ability to blend Indian classical music with Western forms. The track features a prominent sitar line, played by Sawhney, alongside driving, pulsating rhythms. Lyrically, it touches on displacement, the search for identity, and the emotional scars left by colonialism and migration. The chant-like vocal phrases, combined with Sawhney's intricate percussion arrangements, create a hypnotic and emotionally charged piece. ### 4. **The Pilgrim** “The Pilgrim” features a more traditional Indian classical arrangement, with a focus on tabla and sitar. This instrumental track acts as a meditative interlude, allowing the listener to reflect on the broader themes of the album. Its placement within the album is strategic, providing a moment of calm and introspection before the heavier themes of the following tracks. ### 5. **Tides** “Tides” features a spoken-word sample of J. Robert Oppenheimer’s famous reflection on the atomic bomb (“I am become death, the destroyer of worlds”), which immediately sets a heavy, apocalyptic tone. The song is deeply atmospheric, with echoing beats and ambient textures. Sawhney explores the dangers of nuclear proliferation and the destruction of humanity’s moral fabric. The production here is dense, with layered vocal samples and instrumentation that evoke a sense of foreboding. This track is one of the more explicitly political pieces on the album. ### 6. **Nadia** “Nadia” is a standout track, a beautiful fusion of Indian classical vocals and Western string arrangements. The song features the voice of Indian singer Swati Natekar, whose haunting vocal performance adds an ethereal quality to the track. The minimalist production allows Natekar’s voice to shine, while the subtle beats and instrumentation provide a delicate backdrop. Lyrically, the song explores themes of loss and memory, with Natekar’s emotive performance capturing the sadness of a loved one lost. ### 7. **Immigrant** This track features an intense drum and bass rhythm mixed with Indian classical elements. It directly addresses the immigrant experience in the UK, confronting racism, xenophobia, and the feeling of otherness. The fast-paced beat contrasts with the slower, more introspective vocal lines, creating a feeling of tension that reflects the social struggles immigrants face. Sawhney’s use of tabla against the backdrop of drum and bass gives the track a sharp, confrontational edge. ### 8. **Serpents** “Serpents” returns to a more atmospheric, ambient sound, with slow, rolling beats and dark undertones. This track deals with the internal and external conflicts of life, with lyrics that evoke imagery of danger, deceit, and survival. Sawhney’s production on this track leans heavily into the electronic realm, with swirling synths and brooding basslines. The song’s cryptic nature adds a layer of mystery to the album’s narrative. ### 9. **Anthem Without Nation** This track is one of the most overtly political songs on the album. Sawhney critiques nationalism, borders, and the concept of identity as tied to the nation-state. Featuring a haunting piano melody and a mix of electronic and acoustic elements, the track builds gradually, with powerful vocal samples interspersed throughout. The production here is particularly striking, with Sawhney layering vocal samples, orchestral strings, and drums to create a sense of urgency and power. ### 10. **Beyond Skin** The title track serves as a summary of the album’s themes. With sparse production and a focus on atmospheric textures, “Beyond Skin” explores the idea of looking beyond race, nationality, and superficial differences to see the shared humanity beneath. Sawhney’s use of strings and subtle electronic elements creates a reflective, almost cinematic atmosphere. The track feels like a meditation, drawing the album’s narrative to a quiet yet profound conclusion. ## Themes and Influences One of the most striking elements of **Beyond Skin** is its exploration of identity. Sawhney, being of Indian descent and raised in Britain, uses the album to confront the complexities of his own dual identity. The blending of Eastern and Western musical traditions reflects this personal journey, with Sawhney seeking to transcend labels and categories. The album also deals heavily with the political landscape of the late 20th century. The nuclear threat, as symbolized by Oppenheimer’s quote in “Tides,” looms over the album as a reminder of humanity’s capacity for self-destruction. Sawhney also critiques nationalism and the divisive nature of borders in “Anthem Without Nation,” highlighting the need for global unity. Colonialism’s legacy is another recurring theme. Tracks like “Homelands” and “Immigrant” address the scars left by imperialism and the ongoing struggles of diasporic communities. These songs confront the feeling of displacement that many immigrants face, caught between the homeland they left behind and the new countries that often treat them as outsiders. Sawhney’s use of traditional Indian music is not simply a nod to his heritage but a reclamation of a cultural tradition that was suppressed during colonial rule. By blending these sounds with modern genres like electronica and drum and bass, Sawhney is asserting a new form of identity that is fluid, multifaceted, and resistant to simplistic categorization. ## Production From a production standpoint, **Beyond Skin** is masterfully crafted. Sawhney’s ability to blend live instrumentation with electronic elements is one of the album’s most significant achievements. Each track feels meticulously constructed, with a perfect balance between the organic and the synthetic. His use of live Indian instruments like tabla, sitar, and tanpura adds a layer of authenticity to the fusion, grounding the electronic elements in a rich cultural tradition. The album’s pacing is also noteworthy. Sawhney balances uptempo, rhythmically intense tracks like “Immigrant” and “Homelands” with softer, more introspective pieces like “Letting Go” and “Nadia.” This dynamic range keeps the album engaging throughout, with each track offering something new. Sawhney’s use of vocal samples, particularly in politically charged tracks like “Tides” and “Anthem Without Nation,” is another highlight. These samples add context and depth to the music, turning each song into a statement. The album feels more like a conversation or a political manifesto than a collection of songs, with Sawhney using music as a platform for larger social commentary. ## Pros and Cons ### Pros: 1. **Innovative Fusion of Genres**: Sawhney’s blending of Indian classical music with Western genres like electronica, jazz, and drum and bass is masterful. Few albums achieve such a seamless fusion of sounds from different cultures. 2. **Rich Thematic Content**: The album’s exploration of identity, politics, and humanity gives it significant depth. Sawhney tackles difficult subjects like nationalism, colonialism, and nuclear warfare with intelligence and sensitivity. 3. **Cohesive Production**: Every track on **Beyond Skin** feels meticulously crafted. Sawhney’s ability to balance live instrumentation with electronic production is remarkable, giving the album a distinct sound that is both cinematic and intimate. 4. **Emotional Resonance**: Tracks like “Nadia” and “Homelands” are deeply moving, with Sawhney’s use of melody and rhythm evoking powerful emotions. ### Cons: 1. **Occasional Over-reliance on Atmospherics**: While Sawhney’s atmospheric production is often a strength, there are moments where it feels like certain tracks rely too much on mood rather than substance. Some listeners may find these sections too abstract or slow-paced. 2. **Niche Appeal**: **Beyond Skin** is not a commercial album, and its fusion of world music and electronica may not appeal to mainstream audiences. The album requires patience and a willingness to engage with its complex themes, which may alienate some listeners. 3. **Dense Subject Matter**: The political and philosophical nature of the album’s themes can feel heavy at times. Tracks like “Tides” and “Anthem Without Nation” are powerful but may feel overwhelming or inaccessible to those seeking lighter fare. ## Conclusion **Beyond Skin** is a groundbreaking album that showcases Nitin Sawhney’s exceptional skill as a composer, producer, and thinker. It’s an album that pushes boundaries—both musically and thematically—challenging listeners to think deeply about identity, politics, and the human condition. While its complexity may not be for everyone, for those willing to engage with it, **Beyond Skin** offers a profound and rewarding listening experience. Its fusion of Eastern and Western sounds, combined with its exploration of timely political issues, ensures that it remains a relevant and influential work decades after its release.

definitely feels like a more stripped back and less autotuned precursor of fka twigs. a mix of almost operatic ethereal indie folk and ambient electronica with stripped back 90s pop electronic breakbeats. the sound shifts from reggaeton to ethnic liquid dnb/breakbeat while still maintaining the relatively beautiful and yearning musical structure.

5/5

My favorite part of 1001 Albums Generator is finding new artists, and Nitin Sawhney is a great discovery. Thanks!

This was great. Clean musicianship and recording. Grabbed my interest from the get go and held it. Sometimes jazz, sometimes electronica, sometimes tabla and indian influence, other times more western trad.

This is crazy. A bunch of cool electronic beats over some unique vocals and melodies

This was a strange and enchanting album. The only song I didn't care for was "Pilgrim."

Tides by itself would be enough to make this a five star album. So many beautiful atmospheric songs while still maintaining melodic interest. Masterfully done.

This album is terrific! I wish I had discovered it when it was released, because I’d have listened to it a ton. It’s a very unique, eclectic mix of sounds redolent of the best Trip Hop of the era - a sound that I was consistently searching for at the time. There’s some R&B flavor, traditional Indian sounds, a healthy amount of ethereal vocals, the requisite undercurrent of electronic beats, and an overall ambiance that, if you’re a fan of Portishead, Sneaker Pumps, Massive Attack, or Morcheeba, you’re sure to enjoy. I knew fairly early that this was a 4-star album, and briefly flirted with whether I should make it a 5 star. Then I realized that I’m scrolling through Apple Music looking for more of his albums. It’s that good. If a 25-year-old album holds up well enough that you're desperate for more music from the artist, that's a nailed on 5 stars. What an album.

Excellent

There is something familiar about this album cover, but perhaps I’m thinking of that creepy viral video from a few years back where that was a girl made of ice cream eating her own head. Yeah, I think that’s what I’m thinking of. Let’s listen! Songs I already knew: Broken Skin Favourites: Broken Skin, Homelands, Nadia I’m not sure why I recognised Broken Skin, but it was definitely familiar. This album is such a perfect mishmash of music from around the world. It is music that I wouldn’t expect to work, but it sounds pretty amazing. Obviously, a lot of the non-English lyrics are lost on me, but I enjoyed this album a lot.

A striking blend of styles. Lovely and poignant. This is one I wouldn't have ever sought out but I'm so glad to have heard it.

A Hindu-tinged album about nuclear war that ends with Oppenheimer quoting the Bhagavad Gita? Go on… I’m listening. Glad to have heard this before I died. Utterly riveting - so much so I’ve listened to it three times.

Such a well thought out, unique album. Reminds me of massive attack (created a new trip hopish playlist because of it)

The first song is really cool - low fi hiphop kind of vibe Really cool mix of Indian music, hip hop and other instrumentals. The songs do sort of blend together I think my favorite so far is the Broken Skin. Immigrant is also cool, I like the female vocals

Not my usual style, yet great sounds.

4.5/5

Really unique and interesting and beautiful listening experience

I had such a great time listening to this album! The production is soooo clean and powerful

crazy impressive album! it’s wild that something like this gets to exist what a rich blend of world music! — 9/10

Loved this English-Indian music!

A timely appearance. I saw Oppenheimer last week, and it’s really good. It’s Christopher Nolan at his Christopher Nolanest, so there's absolutely no hope of it passing the Bechdel test, but it should delight you if you recognise the name Leo Szilard. Anyway, this is an album that begins and ends nuclear weapon announcements: the first track, Broken Skin, samples a news report on the possibility of nuclear war between India and Pakistan, whilst the last track quotes Oppenheimer’s recollection that, when the first nuclear test proved successful, he thought of a line from the Bhagavad Gita, “Now I am become Death, destroyer of worlds.” That Oppenheimer cited the Bhagavad Gita, a central text in Hinduism, chimes with another thematic element of the album: Indian identity, particularly seen through the prisms of strife between Hindus and Muslims in India, and the experience of the Indian diaspora in modern Britain. I am in no way informed enough to attempt to speak with any authority on those issues. What I can say is that in the late nineties, Indian influence on mainstream British culture expanded, as was inevitable. Nitin Sawhney has been a significant figure in that evolution, not only in musical spheres, but also as one of the writers and performers of the British Asian sketch show Goodness Gracious Me. However, he is far better known as a musician and composer. His musical palate has proven vast, with this album alone ranging from Indian classical music to flamenco and drum n bass. This of course ties in with the album’s message that identity is beyond skin colour, and that one should embrace the world, not aim nukes at it. And as such, I feel a little daunted trying to write a review. There are so many ingredients to this that I’m not especially familiar with, so one effect specifically on me is minor apprehension. This is both my fault and not my fault: anyone unaccustomed to a music tradition will initially feel a little adrift at first listen. Still, I want to have an increased appreciation of a wider range of music, hence why I’m undertaking this challenge. And there are passages of real beauty on this album: the female vocals on Immigrant are notably shiver-inducing (I’ve tried looking, but I’ve not been able to find out the name of the singer). But the album has such a wide musical buffet that I feared a touch of aural indigestion. That said, I will say that this album does deserve 5 stars. Just because it’s not my standard fare doesn’t mean I don’t find it delicious. The United States has lost 6 nuclear weapons. All of these are at the bottom of the sea (well, suspected but never confirmed in two cases). It is not known how many nuclear weapons Russia has lost, but some experts estimate that the number of missing Russian nukes could be dozens. Sleep well, my pukka sahibs and memsahibs! NoRadio, signing off.

BEST SONGS: -Letting Go -Pilgrim

I absolutely loved this. The blend of styles, the concept, the sounds and variety, it all hit the spot just right.

Miscelanea de estilos musicales. Muy melódico. Vinilo.

Beyond beautiful

I really enjoyed this. Totally unlike anything I've heard so far on the list. It was a chilled out electronic world music journey, while also having a very important and terrifying subject matter at its core. A few of these songs are definitely going into my library. Favourite: Nadia

Miscelanea de estilos musicales. Muy melódico. Vinilo.

A gem!

Veldig kult!

I do love this album.

A delightful surprise!

Amazing

interesting to say the least I had no idea there was such a big British Indian techno scene but I fuck with it

Loved loved loved this

Cool

V strange

Love this. Feel daft for missing it originally. I think jo whiley put me off. This is ace. I feel smarter listening to it. Layered multilingual vocals. Beats. Reverb. Class.

First album to actually blow me away. I was not ready for this album to be so good. Great themes addressing important real world issues, and still being good music. Actually making every song vary from eachother and not just making a 50 min. song. I'm looking at you Rage Against The Machine. Starting off, or should I say, ending with a chill hip-hoppy, silent, broken future of a radioactive fallout or something. Just fucking builds up from there, cause "Homelands" really is a fucking masterpiece, and that caught me off-guard. "Serpents" is the only song that kinda sucks and gets tiring to listen to. "The Conference" was really fucking silly, but I heard it for the first time while getting my room ready for control in the military in like 2 minutes, stressing so much while two dudes yell "didkdkydduddjudjdududkdidudkidkdid" in my ears because I wouldn't take out my earbuds because I couldn't find my headphonecase. Crazy shit. But it really had an effect to say the least. 5/5

A remarkable work of art with something to say and many layers to appreciate. Was new to me.

Brilliant! Really like this! Don’t know how. Haven’t heard it before. I’ll get it on vinyl

Beyond it all

loved it

super different. one of my favs so far, nadia, letting go, pilgrim, broken skin, homelands, nostalgia so fire

Wonderful, visionary work. Everything about this feels so neatly stitched together – a seamless patchwork of lovingly curated influences and perfectly executed ideas. To have harmonised so many disparate impulses – let alone to often breathtaking effect – is something, but to have made it feel so immanent (as in: necessary, essential, teleological) is another. There’s a blueprint for a better world inside here, I wish we lived in it.

indian jazz/electronica. Might be too distracting for work but i hope not. I love it! not all his stuff but a great surprise and my first 5 star album <3

No entendí el disco (?), tampoco me esforcé esta vez en buscar más sobre él o el artista, pero la verdad es que lo disfruté y es un soundrtrack chill como para hacer otras cosas en la computadora o demás. Muy estraño, pero muy interesante. Favs: "Homelands", "Nadia", "The Conference" y "Beyond Skin". 9/10

Beautifully composed. A spiritual journey.