"When I was a little one / I remember / What we used to go through" sings Terry Uyarak in Inuktitut on "Nutaraullunga," one of the several standout pieces on his sophomore record Unnuaq. Here, the synthesizers, guitar and the Igloolik-raised singer-songwriter himself are intimate and inviting throughout; these are recounts of good times, family history and tradition. The record is a celebration of Uyarak's resurfacing memories, especially his experiences as a child with his late grandmother, learning to hunt and thrive in the far north of Nunavut.
Musically, he moves away from the whispery, quiet ground established on his 2020 breakout debut Nunarjua Isulinginniani, folding in some shockingly cheerful additions – the triumphant horns on "Inuuqatigi&arruki" are a standout moment in particular. There's electric guitar leads, big old-school rock band instrumentation and even traditional throat singing in the mix.
The sprawling title track — a traditional hymn turned folk-rock banger — exemplifies the best use of these additions. It takes its time through phases of primordial percussion and vocals, before the synthesized bass slowly morphs it into a massive, choral climax. Those who fell in love with Uyarak's sparser approach on his first record will find these songs comparatively dense, though they contain the same beating heart as the rest of his music.
The mournful atmosphere that coloured Nunarjua Isulinginniani is mostly absent here, save for the back half of the record, like on the string-laden, whispered "Tisijumut." One doesn't need to know the meaning of Uyarak's words to be affected by his quietly devastating vocal performance and pastoral electro-acoustic arrangements. The one-two punch of the final tracks are a return to the lonely, wintery sonic landscapes that initially carved out a singular sound for Uyarak several years ago.
While not as immediately striking as his first album, Unnuaq manages to build upon its framework and add layers upon layers of instruments to reinforce these simple, deeply felt songs. Its first half contains many detours into multiple genres and sounds that Uyarak pulls off in spite of them threatening to drown him out. Careful listeners will find Unnuaq an epic journey into Uyarak's mind and memories — It's a full scope of life lived in a place where nights and days can last for weeks, where family can offer warmth when the sun cannot.
(Aakuluk Music)Musically, he moves away from the whispery, quiet ground established on his 2020 breakout debut Nunarjua Isulinginniani, folding in some shockingly cheerful additions – the triumphant horns on "Inuuqatigi&arruki" are a standout moment in particular. There's electric guitar leads, big old-school rock band instrumentation and even traditional throat singing in the mix.
The sprawling title track — a traditional hymn turned folk-rock banger — exemplifies the best use of these additions. It takes its time through phases of primordial percussion and vocals, before the synthesized bass slowly morphs it into a massive, choral climax. Those who fell in love with Uyarak's sparser approach on his first record will find these songs comparatively dense, though they contain the same beating heart as the rest of his music.
The mournful atmosphere that coloured Nunarjua Isulinginniani is mostly absent here, save for the back half of the record, like on the string-laden, whispered "Tisijumut." One doesn't need to know the meaning of Uyarak's words to be affected by his quietly devastating vocal performance and pastoral electro-acoustic arrangements. The one-two punch of the final tracks are a return to the lonely, wintery sonic landscapes that initially carved out a singular sound for Uyarak several years ago.
While not as immediately striking as his first album, Unnuaq manages to build upon its framework and add layers upon layers of instruments to reinforce these simple, deeply felt songs. Its first half contains many detours into multiple genres and sounds that Uyarak pulls off in spite of them threatening to drown him out. Careful listeners will find Unnuaq an epic journey into Uyarak's mind and memories — It's a full scope of life lived in a place where nights and days can last for weeks, where family can offer warmth when the sun cannot.
