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Box Of Secrets

Zarif

Single Box Of Secrets
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Sassy North-Londoner Zarif is bringing something new to the autumn, with the release of her lead single and album by the same name, ‘Box of Secrets’.

Formerly signed to RCA, after acclaimed work with UK production duo The Nextmen, the talented singer/songwriter is playing by her own rules having set up her own ‘Bright Pink Records’ label.

Zarif is now set to challenge the charts with the release of this sharp slice of soul, jazz and pop.

“I could have gone down the route to get another deal…” Zarif explains, “but I decided to set up my own label. Musically I can do whatever I want now and can have more input in every aspect… it’s much more me.”

Already with an impressive performance catalogue to her name, twenty-four year old Zarif is no stranger to the big stage herself with previous performances at Glastonbury, Bestival and Wireless. She has also supported the likes of US superstars Beyoncé and Chris Brown on their respective tours as well as having dueted with US Rn’B star, John Legend.

Debut album ‘Box of Secrets’ showcases an eclectic mix of melodic tracks, very much rooted in vintage soul but with Zarif’s unique contemporary spin. Executively produced by Fraser T Smith (James Morrison, Kano & N Dubz), Zarif also explores her sound with further production from Tommy D (Corinne Bailey Rae, Jay Z & Kanye West) and Blair Mackichan (Lilly Allen).

First off, jazz/swing-inspired lead single ‘Box of Secrets’ is a soulful doo-wop number featuring new Atlantic signing and one of the UK’s hottest new MCs, Mz Bratt. With a rocking saxophone line that traces Zarif’s roaring vocals around the chorus, the track eventually breaks down into a jazz-inflected middle 8. With a video directed by Andy Hylton (Jay Sean, Estelle) the track also features remixes by Redlight, Cyantific & Wilkinson, and a dance remix by Midland

A firm non-believer in over production, Zarif is intent on keeping her music in it’s rawest form, with tracks ‘Let Me Back’ and ‘Words’ – reminiscent of Red Hot Chilli Peppers ‘Under the Bridge’ - still containing the original vocals originally recorded in her bedroom.

‘Seen It All Before’, ‘Over’ and ‘Breakout’ reflect the general upbeat nature of this debut, whilst acoustic guitar-led tracks ‘You Take The Darkness’ and the incredibly touching ‘California’ set the more sombre tone.

Speaking of her debut, Zarif reveals; “My favourite track on the album has to be ‘The Day The Music Left Me’. It’s a song about relationships but is also a kind of metaphor for everything that’s happened to me so far on my musical journey.”

Zarif’s take on her own heroes such as Prince, Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder is evident throughout, with Wonder’s melodic influence highly apparent on the mid-tempo number ‘Silence Room’.
Despite early influence from such legendary male artists, Zarif also pays homage to the musical genius of more contemporary female talents such as Lauryn Hill.

The Zarif sound is a bespoke take on the tailored soul tradition, allowing every eccentricity and kook of her character a place in the mix. While the rip and curl of her voice easily sounds at home in the early 70s, her production and beats are straight from the future.

Tracklisting:

Box Of Secrets
Seen It All Before
Breakout
The Day The Music Left Me
Over
You Take The Darkness
California
Silence Room
Stop What You’re Doing
Words
Let Me Back
Summer In Your Eyes
Can’t Do Nothing (*Bonus Track For Digital*)

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