The music of Anika is likely to draw comparisons to pioneers from the Eighties or Nineties. One can trace a line from Lene Lovich to Shirley Manson to this. And on her new record, Abyss, Anika is more than ever grasping for the same sort of broad, hip appeal.
Numbers like the thudding title track are catchy and in-your-face emotionally, while others, like "Out of the Shadows" achieve a fierce approximation of Brit post-punk. "Honey", a highlight here, finds Anika's material coming close to the insistence of a Siouxsie and the Banshees side. Cuts like those named are well worth your time if you've listened to any of the older artists I've referenced.
Anika does a few things very well indeed, and while there's not a ton of variety on Abyss, the power of her voice and confidence of her delivery make up for that. When she sounds like Laetitia Sadier (Stereolab) on "Walk Away", it's a nice surprise, even if one wishes that more selections on Abyss were like this one. That said, the ones that work, are quite good, full of sharp edges and impact.
Abyss by Anika is out now via Sacred Bones.
[Photo: Nastya Platinova]