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Box of Secrets is the début album release for Zarif and is released on her own label (Bright Pink) and also features 2 previous singles (Over and Let Me Back)a well as the current/title track Box of Secrets
The opening track is also the title track (Box of Secrets) and is a great little upbeat jazz/swing number. This is the original album version so no rapping section in this one. It also sets the presidence for the rest of the album. Seen It All Before continues the upbeat feel before Breakout enters with it mystic sounding background (although it does somehow conjure images of the Pyramids).
The Day The Music Left Me and Over return to the general upbeatness of the album before we're led into the beautiful guitar driven, acoustic sounding ballad You Take The Darkness. Coming after such upbeat songs would make you think that it would sound out of place. However, it almost feels as if it should be there. California brings a more sombre tone to proceedings in another little guitar driven track.
The opening bars of Silence Room may leave you wanting to burst into a Stevie Wonder song and it flows just like something that he would write or perform. Stop What You're Doing is another little upbeat song before heading into the relaxing and laid back Words. Let You Back is a great little summery sounding tune that you wouldn't mid sticking on and dreaming of the summer that we never had.
Summer In Your Eyes is another great laid back and relaxing track which is perfect for bring the album to an end. But no, we're not finished yet. It's time to come full circle with the radio edit of Box Of Secrets and yes, this time featuring Mz Bratt.
Some débuts try to cram as much differing material making them feel scattered and unorganized. However Zarif's focuses on the soul/jazz/swing/little r'n'b elements and is a mixture of upbeat and slower tracks, which would sometimes make an album awkward. However, the placement of the slower tracks make the album flow continuously without a hitch.
There is something that needs to be commended here and that is that the album isn't overproduced. Everything is brought together and seems to fit like pieces of a jigsaw. It may have retro feel but it has a modern twist. There's a balance between the music and vocals meaning you can actually enjoy the album without having to strain to understand what is being said.
Overall, Box of Secrets is a great little début. It probably not what you would expect given the current sounds covering the charts at the moment. Zarif's début is a breathe of fresh air and is perfect for this time of year or any time for that matter. Hopefully this is just the first of Zarif's secrets that she's pulled out of her box and that more are going to follow.
Rating:5/5
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