Nineteen-year-old twins Naomi and Lisa-Kaindé Diaz’s first attempt to follow in their father’s footsteps certainly doesn’t fit any cookie-cutter mold. The French-Cuban duo’s debut album Ibeyi blends the songs of the Yoruba culture of their late father, with modern hip-hop and electronic influences.
When the twins’ father, Anga Diaz of Buena Vista Social Club, died when they were eleven years old the two teamed up to revive the folk songs of Yoruba, a Nigerian language that traveled to Cuba in the 1700s. They began with learning their father’s instrument: the Cajón, a box-shaped drum. Eventually, Naomi went on to experiment with more percussion instruments while Lisa-Kaindé learned to play the piano. Under the name Ibeyi, the twins released their first EP, Oya, in August 2014 and released their self-titled, full-length album Tuesday.
Ibeyi showcases the differences between the twins’ musical tastes. Lisa-Kaindé channels Nina Simone and Lauryn Hill with her soulful vocals, and Naomi’s beat-driven electronic production creates an entirely new experience. The pairing of smooth melodies and dance-like rhythms makes their sound both comforting and intriguing. Singing in both English and Yoruba, Ibeyi is able to bridge the gap between two worlds.
“Eleggua (Intro)” draws you in with the mysterious sounds of Yoruba chants, while songs like “Ghosts” and “River” demand the listener to nod their head along with the beat. Even the songs written mostly in English, like “Behind the Curtain,” channel Yoruba folk songs through their close harmonies and chant-like melodies. “Mama Says,” with lyrics like: “The man is gone and Mama says there is no life without him,” proves that the unlikely mix of genres and languages isn’t necessarily the most interesting thing about this album. Sincere and gut-wrenching lyrics suggest a maturity far beyond the twins’ age. While the electronic elements may be a little underdeveloped at points, the album shows enormous potential.
Overall, the debut album suggests a promising future for the Diaz twins. While you could argue that Ibeyi lacks variety, it does provide a serene and almost spiritual experience for listeners.
Grade: B
