Natural Wonder Beauty Concept – Natural Wonder Beauty Concept

In some ways it seems an odd partnership. Ana Roxanne, who makes some of the most spacious, spectral music around, with DJ Python, a producer whose warping of reggaeton and dembow has led him in even punchier directions, his rhythms getting wonkier by the record. But Python has been increasingly adding ambient textures to his work, and Roxanne’s voice and synth palette feels like it could work well over pretty much anyone’s drums.

When their styles really mesh it’s a wonderful thing. The title track for instance, in which Python brings a brilliant clattering breakbeat and a sharp, needling little synth figure, while Roxanne’s gorgeous vocals drift through the chaos, is superbly done. While lead single Sword showcases Roxanne’s voice in an acrobatic manner that her own work rarely does, Python’s trademark temporal elastication forces her voice into new shapes. On these tracks the collaboration makes total sense, tugging at each other's different styles, just drifting each other into stranger waters.

Sonically the record is magnificent, every sound feels perfectly formed and mulled over until it achieves the ideal balance of dreamy and claustrophobic. This balance is never better than on closer World Freehand Circle Drawing which combines gorgeous wavering synth tones, a pulsing drum pattern and Roxanne’s voice at its precise, emotive best. It’s a shame some of the songs themselves don’t feel like they really develop. Clear in particular feels like it gets caught in its own languorous trip-hop rhythm and never builds in any captivating direction.

They’re an interesting team, and the dynamic on display really draws something from them both. There’s certainly the sense that they could produce something truly superb in future, we’re only seeing the first glimpses of it here.

Listen to: Sword, World Freehand Circle Drawing, Young Adult Fiction