Listen: Tash Sultana - SUGAR EP

Following on from a string of singles that showed a slightly different side to their sound, the wait for the release of Tash Sultana’s new SUGAR EP is finally over, with six tracks that bridge Tash’s older style with the psychier sounds heard on their last album Terra Firma.

Two and a half years on from Terra Firma, the sounds of SUGAR feel like a natural next step for Tash while retaining their trademark funk and groove, and of course their iconic, striking vocals. Opening with recent single James Dean, the EP kicks off in groove laden, atmospheric style as Sultana reflects on personal growth and the importance of shedding toxic relationships.

We're greeted by the sleek & sultry vibes of You People Freak Me Out next, a soulful cut with stripped back verses that allow Tash’s vocals to really shine, before the layered, movement inducing choruses kick in. Lyrically, Sultana delves into the complexities of modern social interactions, addressing things like cancel culture and chasing trends. "The thing that concerns me about people is how quick everyone is to jump on a bandwagon, follow a trend, cancel someone out for a mistake as if they've been perfect their entire lives," says Tash.

New York, as you may have guessed, is written the titular city but rather than a romantic ode to one of the world’s most iconic cities, it is instead about a rather harrowing experience Tash had there, explaining “I will never forget a time last year when I was so fucked up. It was before my Pier 17 show, one of the lowest points of my life, professionally and personally, and I just wanted to know what it was or what I could do to make it stop. Do I run, do I scream, do I jump into the water, do I cry? What's it going to take to get me through the night”.

Next up is previous single and the only collaboration on the EP, the hip hop influenced sounds of previous single Bitter Lovers featuring BJ The Chicago Kid, before we’re treated to the deeply personal 1975. An epic cut weighing in at over 7 minutes, 1975 provides the thrilling “conflict” of the EP’s narrative arc, being an upper tempo jam packed with instrumental passages and even a beat switch, before the satisfying resolution of the mellow, melodic, downtempo vibes of Dove.

To find out more about Tash and their new EP, including their revealing that the release is “a stepping stone to work out what I wanted to do, and now I’ve come to the conclusion that I will do an album next year”, check out our feature interview here!

Tash Sultana's new EP SUGAR is out now via Lonely Land Records

Follow Tash Sultana: Instagram / Facebook