Inspired by the eccentric Tokyo underground scene, traditional folk and tribal grooves, and French electronica, Barouh’s music blends roots and reinvention. “Take the Boat” is extracted from her new album AIDA, meaning “between” in Japanese. Fierce, ambient and completely intriguing, Barouh’s album sits at the nexus of duality – between cultures; between France and Japan; between the mainland and the islands; between the ancient and the modern; between the conventional and the unconventional.

Written over a period of years, past and present music has aided Barouh in the building of a distinctive assembly of playful, quirky, raw, spacious, thought-provoking – and occasionally disconcerting – tracks, laden with vocal, flute and other instruments. Themes of racism and feminism lull on a dissonant melody, carried by multilingual vocals.

Other tracks, namely “TOKYO ONDO” and “HAFU” highlight the range of Barouh’s skill set and thought process. Meanwhile the flute-bounce anthem “Exit: is nuanced by the frustration of Brexit politics. The track samples an excerpt from Britain’s unsuccessful prime minister Theresa May which inspires the hook line: “Do you wanna Brexit with me?” With each listen, Barouh’s music is embedded further and deeper into the psyche.

Watch the video below to take a dive into Barouh’s world…