out now: Desire Marea – Desire [Mute]

Artist:
Desire Marea

Title:
Desire

Label:
Mute

Cat#:
STUMM467

Release Date:
06th August 2021 (physical)
earlier (digital)

Format:
CD, vinyl, download & streaming

Tracklist:
01.
Self Center

02.
Zibuyile Izimakade

03.
You Think I’m Horny

04.
Tavern Kween

05.
Thokozani

06.
The Void

07.
Uncle Kenny

08.
Ntokozo

09.
Studies In Black Trauma

Press Info:
Desire Marea, newly signed to Mute and currently working on new material, has announced the vinyl and CD release of their debut album, Desire on 6 August 2021.

The album, available for the first time on vinyl and CD, was originally released digitally on Desire’s own imprint Izimakade records and serves as a captivating introduction to the singular and multi-faceted world of Kwazulu-natal born, multi-disciplinary artist Desire Marea.

Now based in Durban (South Africa), Desire (born Buyani Duma) was a founding member of Johannesburg collective FAKA. As FAKA, Desire Marea and creative partner Fela Gucci, toured the world extensively making their American debut scoring for the brand Telfar at NYFW, going on to achieve icon status by partnering with Versace to soundtrack their S/S 2019 menswear show before being included in the Vogue World 100 and Dazed 100 lists.

Desire is an exploration of loss, displacement, and the terrifying manifestations of love in the contemporary world. In the words of Ruth Saxelby’s 8.0 Pitchfork review, “their exploration of the divine takes them in a many-splendored multitude of stylistic directions, often within the span of a single track: liturgical drone, galloping club beats, existential noise.”

From the introverted exploration of intoxicating album opener ‘Self Centre’ and the galloping beats & operatic crescendo of ‘Zibuyile Izimmakade’, which means “The Gods Have Returned” in Zulu, the expansive exploration of spirituality and the divine on Desire is palpable, and skilfully interlaces snapshots from decidedly grounded human experiences.

Desire describes lead single ‘You Think I’m Horny’ as being about “a reflection of my romantic displacement in a city that’s home to the displacement of many,” whilst ‘Tavern Kween’ was inspired by Desire’s aunts who would go against convention to find freedom and empowerment in the usually male-occupied taverns in their hometown of Amandawe.

“It’s an ode to them, an ode for defiance and feminine manifestations everywhere, an ode to people who come alive at night, to people who enjoy being free and also an ode to people who are fierce about claiming their freedom.”

Mute announced signing Desire Marea earlier this year with founder Daniel Miller commenting: “I am enormously excited to be working with Desire and to be part of their remarkable career.” Desire added: “This is probably the highlight of my career thus far, to be supported by such an amazing label and such an exceptional team. I am very excited about the future.”

Now, this remarkable and hugely under-recognised debut will receive a full release on 6 August, with new work and live dates set to follow in due course.

Full Track Streaming: