ANOHNI Paints a Searing Portrait on ‘Paradise’

Stephanie Hernandez

Spanning only six tracks, ANOHNI’s follow up EP to 2016’s “Hopelessness” is just as mesmerizing as its predecessor. Resplendent, dramatic and meticulously crafted, “Paradise” utilizes modern electronic music to inspire critical reflection on the world’s current state of affairs. Forthright in her words and unrelenting in her quest to break down any abstract thought, person or policy that does not promote true freedom for all people across the world, Anohni is not always the easiest voice to listen to – but that’s exactly why we need her. Perhaps what makes “Paradise” so compelling is that it’s not so much a collection of songs that helps you understand ANOHNI better, but instead forces you to confront yourself: specifically, your biases and the true impact of personal complicity in the issues plaguing society today. A symbol of unwavering resistance, “Paradise” is solution-oriented protest music at its best.

ANOHNI’s choice to continue her collaboration with producers Oneohtrix Point Never and Hudson Mohawke make for a smooth transition in both sound and message from “Hopelessness,” though not identical. The themes presented are similar (dissecting and destroying the systematic violence imposed onto the world’s innocent by the powers that be), but the outer shell on “Paradise” is much less immaculate. Here the words match the music; they’re savage and spirited, and with a darker undertone. ANOHNI’s vocals are no longer smooth and pristine – they perfectly convey her inner-torment. From the incessant pounding drums on “Jesus Will Kill You” to the stark lyrics on “Ricochet” (“If this keeps going / I’m gonna curse you, my god / I’m gonna hate you, my god”), her anger is palpable. The music here seems like a cathartic release of years of inner torment.

Still, make no mistake; “Paradise” is not about universal forgiveness – in fact, quite the opposite. She is seeking atonement for the sins of man, and not so willing to forgive the worst among us. She doesn’t claim to be some sort of divine being the way most artists do; capable of loving and forgiving those who have inflicted such pain for so long. ANOHNI sees her job to hold everyone accountable, and forgiveness is not necessarily a part of that process. A perfect example of this is the powerful track, “You Are My Enemy.” Sung from the perspective of a mother whose son has grown to inflict evil upon the world, she does not offer love to him, ultimately choosing rejection of him. It’s as if ANOHNI is looking to all that is sacred and feminine – in particular the power held in the life giving capabilities women hold – as the only way out of the darkness in which we dwell. “Paradise” is a celebration of what could be, just as much as it is a critical reflection on today’s political climate and humanitarian crisis.

“Paradise” was a risk, and one that is clearly going to pay off. A collection of tracks that push you to question yourself and your sense of responsibility in the world, it is ANOHNI’s way of forcing us to “break out of established ways of doing and perceiving” so that we can actually move forward. Collective action becomes the solution presented: “only an intervention by women around the world, with their innate knowledge of interdependency, deep listening, empathy, and self-sacrifice, could possibly alter our species’ desperate course.”

“Paradise” is on fire. The topics explored aren’t easy to hear, but ANOHNI has strung them together in such a compelling way, you can’t help but be sucked in. It’s her willingness to so vulnerably express her anger, and her love and her criticism of both in relation to our current global plight, that makes it such a crucial album.  

“Paradise” is available on Apple Music March 17.