After releasing her self-titled debut in 2018, Pangnirtung-based artist Aasiva is returning with Niriunniq, which translates to "hope" in English. The album is due out on July 9 — Nunavut Day — via Aakuluk Music.
Produced by Jace Lasek of the Besnard Lakes, the album was recorded in Aakuluk co-founder (and Jerry Cans vocalist) Andrew Morrison's garage in Iqaluit, since there are no dedicated recording studios in Nunavut.
The album announcement accompanies a new single, "Ungalirakki." It was the first song Aasiva wrote for the record, in honour of her late mother. Likewise, it underscores Niriunniq's titular theme and inspiration.
In a statement, the artist explained: "I have been going through a really difficult time in the last couple of years. My mother suddenly passed away in 2019, so it's been interesting trying to navigate grief. But no matter what I'm feeling, at least I still have hope. At the end of every day, I'm beaten up emotionally or mentally, and I just say, 'Okay, well at least tomorrow might be a better day.' Holding onto that hope really kept me going."
Opening with soft and sprightly ukulele picking, "Ungalirakki" quickly builds into something cinematic. Aasiva fashions her grief into a sonic cathedral with echoing synths and layered tracks of her iridescent vocals. It's a beautiful tribute that makes a fitting thesis statement for the album: hopefulness is integral to healing.
Watch the visualizer for "Ungalirakki" and check out the tracklist for Niriunniq below.
Niriunniq:
1. Love Song
2. Inngiusiit sinnaktuuvut
3. Ungalirakki
4. Piqatiikka
5. Pigganaqtuq
6. Namu
7. Anuri
8. Naglingniq piruqsiatuuqpuq
9. Tulugaq
10. Pigunnaqtutit
11. Outro
Produced by Jace Lasek of the Besnard Lakes, the album was recorded in Aakuluk co-founder (and Jerry Cans vocalist) Andrew Morrison's garage in Iqaluit, since there are no dedicated recording studios in Nunavut.
The album announcement accompanies a new single, "Ungalirakki." It was the first song Aasiva wrote for the record, in honour of her late mother. Likewise, it underscores Niriunniq's titular theme and inspiration.
In a statement, the artist explained: "I have been going through a really difficult time in the last couple of years. My mother suddenly passed away in 2019, so it's been interesting trying to navigate grief. But no matter what I'm feeling, at least I still have hope. At the end of every day, I'm beaten up emotionally or mentally, and I just say, 'Okay, well at least tomorrow might be a better day.' Holding onto that hope really kept me going."
Opening with soft and sprightly ukulele picking, "Ungalirakki" quickly builds into something cinematic. Aasiva fashions her grief into a sonic cathedral with echoing synths and layered tracks of her iridescent vocals. It's a beautiful tribute that makes a fitting thesis statement for the album: hopefulness is integral to healing.
Watch the visualizer for "Ungalirakki" and check out the tracklist for Niriunniq below.
Niriunniq:
1. Love Song
2. Inngiusiit sinnaktuuvut
3. Ungalirakki
4. Piqatiikka
5. Pigganaqtuq
6. Namu
7. Anuri
8. Naglingniq piruqsiatuuqpuq
9. Tulugaq
10. Pigunnaqtutit
11. Outro
