Nenĭa Iră is a musical project led by Aurélia Nardini, vocalist and composer from Marseille. Coming from an Italian and Sephardic Jewish family from Algeria, she began singing at an early age and became passionate about multiculturalism and nomadic music. Art school, experimentation, collaboration, exploration and teaching have led to her unique approach to her electroacoustic composition and polyphonic sound practice. Nardini’s website describes her music as “post-trad song and inner buzzes.”

On this first album, Nenĭa Iră presents eight tracks that convey contemporary tales told by a vocal character who transforms obstacles encountered and draws strength from them to continue moving forward. Accompanied by the shrutibox (an Indian accordion) and tambour à cordes (a drum head crossed by a horsehair cord), Aurélia Nardini unveils carefully worked arrangements, drums and electronic effects. On a few tracks, Nardini is joined by percussionist Vincent Roussel, singer Blanche Lafuente, cellist Saskia Waledisch, and Crystal on synthesizer. Live stage performances have been developed with choreographer Anne-Gaëlle Thiriot to create an intimate, dreamlike show that draws from both dark and luminous emotions.

While Nenĭa Iră references traditional Mediterranean music, the group’s resolutely original, contemporary songs are haunting and mysterious. Their electro-trance sonic canvas incorporates ancestral colorings with vivid tints. Standout tracks include “Chant du Matin,” “Oublietté,” “Quand ca va pas,” and “La Hyéne.”  (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)