Tristan de Liège, Usawa (feat. ONYI LOVE) Review

Tristan de Liège is a Los Angeles based downtempo/experimental electronic artist. He typically plays most of the instruments on his albums, from guitar and bass to woodwinds, but also employs talented local musicians for strings and drums (among other instruments). De Liège has a wide variety of influences, such as interesting found sounds from nature, film scores, world music, and jazz. His music creates layers of beats, organic textures, and recordings to create unique tracks that balance texture and exploration through thoughtful arrangements. De Liège is released on Emancipator’s Loci Records (he also produces music as Tethys and Thoma.). De Liège teams up with talented vocalist ONYI LOVE for his single “Usawa,” that has an electronic world music vibe with a twist. ONYI LOVE is an energy and spiritual worker, sound healer, and artist that is dedicated to using music to bring awareness, self-love, and healing.

 Positives:  A hip African vibe, solid vocals, and big sounds fill “Usawa.” De Liège creates layers, balance, and interest throughout the form.

 Bottom Line:  Electronic artist de Liège builds a beautiful exotic soundscape on “Usawa.” ONYI LOVE’s vocals match the world vibe of the track as de Liège uses a wide range of instruments and percussion along with elements of electronica to support her melody. The bassline is rhythmic and driving, and each sound is sculpted with technical dexterity and care. The track’s name ‘Usawa’ is Swahili for balance. Vocalist ONYI LOVE sings an Afro-Cuban Orisha song for Babaluaye. She explains, “That folkloric song is just what kept coming to me to sing during our session for some reason, so I went with it. Babaluaye, also called Obaluaye, is a Yoruba deity that is strongly connected to the Earth. He deals with peace, the phenomena of the outbreak of disease/illness on the one hand, and the cure and healing for them on the other, and so much more. He teaches us what is required in order to be in balance when it comes to our health and in balance with the Earth.” The result is a coherent sound painting that is framed with deliberately African rhythms and sounds for dancing and healing benefit. That’s the short of it!

Connect with Tristan de Liège: Website |