ALBUM REVIEWS

Album Review: Yuna – “Nocturnal”

Jake Craney
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 Right from the opening notes of “Falling,” you know you’re listening to something different. Music like this doesn’t come across your radar very often. Malaysian-born singer/songwriter Yuna’s debut album Nocturnal is a crisp and beautiful exploration of sunny pop songs with unique instruments providing a multicultural backdrop. Yuna’s smooth, airy voice proves to be a great tour guide through the ebbs and flows of Nocturnal.

 The two opening tracks, “Falling” and “Mountains” quickly explain the comparisons Yuna has drawn to Feist and Norah Jones. “Rescue” then blossoms into a bubbly pop song that screams ‘radio-hit’ (It’s better than 99% of radio pop too). Some pop hits are so over-the-top catchy with no real substance, so they tend to get old quickly. “Rescue,” while insanely catchy, avoids becoming stale and begs for repeated plays long after the first listen. 

 Nocturnal continues with lush soundscapes, beautiful vocals, and creative instrumentation. Songs like “Lights and Camera,” “Someone Who Can,” and “Come Back” are all perfect examples of what makes Yuna so special: depth, creativity, and great songwriting. Nocturnal should transform Yuna from an already-successful international singer/songwriter to a huge worldwide success. It’s not every day we are treated to skillfully-crafted pop songs with a genuine international flair. We should enjoy gems like these when they appear on our radar. Nocturnal comes out on Tuesday, October 29th. You can pre-order it HERE

Yuna – “Rescue”