Born in England to Brazilian and Greek parents, it's little wonder songwriter Naima Bock doesn't sound like anyone else. Originally a member of Goat Girl, Bock soon decided to go it alone. She released her debut solo album Giant Palm through Sub Pop, with many calling it one of the best of 2022. Below A Massive Dark Land finds Naima returning to Sub Pop, with a new set of gently off-kilter tunes that had their beginnings in places far-and-wide, from Tucson to Greece, and even her grandmother's shed in South London. Recommended if you love Cate Le Bon, A. Savage, and caroline. - Flying Out
Most of the writing of Naima Bock’s second album, Below A Massive Dark Land, was a solitary affair. It may not sound like it – it’s made up of strong, purposeful arrangements with a huge host of musicians, filled with cradling space and warm light.
This will also come as a surprise to anyone who has seen Naima perform in the time since the release of her 2022 debut Giant Palm, which was undoubtedly a communal experience. But there’s power in the solitary, too. Giant Palm was arranged with collaborator Joel Burton, but going this one alone in search of something that was truly hers, Naima found she was capable of more.
Below a Massive Dark Land was predominantly produced by Jack Osborne (Bingo Fury) and Joe Jones, and recorded at The Crypt in north London, with additional production and arrangement by Oliver Hamilton (caroline, Shovel Dance Collective) and Naima herself. Six of the tracks on Below… were mixed by Jason Agel, with the remainder done by Osborne and Jones. The album was mastered by Kevin Tuffy.
Tracklist:
1. Gentle
2. Kaley
3. Feed My Release
4. My Sweet Body
5. Lines
6. Further Away
7. Takes One
8. Age
9. Moving
10. Star