B O D I E S are a forward looking, 8-member all-female a cappella vocal ensemble led by Australian Kat Frankie, who'd been experimenting with live looped a cappella songs in her own show and wanted to explore the possibilities further. Anyone who's seen anything similar, although not many artists are talented or adept enough to pull it off live, will testify to its emotive power. The performance provides such an intimate connection to the singer, as their soul is laid bare with no instrumental cover to hide behind.
There is strength in a cappella numbers, so she decided to go all out and recruited her own ensemble of talented vocalists, and by all accounts they've been wowing some pretty large audiences in pretty major venues ever since. Say hello to Albertine Sarges, Barbara Greshake, Erika Emerson, Fama M'Boup, Liza Wolowicz, Tara Nome Doyle and Trinidad Doherty.
"All of It" uses vocal repetition as a soft edged rhythmic construct, any thoughts of monotony dispelled by the velvety nature of the voices. Tempo set, the ensemble then set about repeating and weaving sounds rather than words over the vocal heartbeat as the lone vocalist (Frank?), muses on the nature of possession when there's nothing left; any notion of near dystopias banished by the tenderhearted, emotive vocals, further elevated by her choral colleagues.
The single is part of the lead up to a December album release and I would suggest that it will be a fine replacement for all those suffering form Aled Jones choral fatigue, and a welcoming gateway for anyone wishing to explore the beauty, power and potential of the human voice.
Playlist Companion
Find B O D I E S adding some choral grace to the Ambient Pop Playlist:
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