Insides Revealed

Insides Revealed, the debut album by Taiwanese indigenous singer Sauljaljui, takes inspiration from her Paiwan tribal roots, and combines traditional sounds with crossover pop, Latin, folk and R&B influences. The album starts in suitably cinematic fashion, with ‘Ari Qemaljup’ (Gathering Before a Hunt) and ‘Cemavulid’ (Battle Song) both showcasing her abilities on Taiwanese yueqin (two-stringed moon lute) and nose flute. Her soaring voice is accompanied by didgeridoo drones, booming tribal percussion and call-and-response chants, establishing a decidedly epic and euphoric atmosphere. The album then takes a turn into Latin groove, with producer/arranger Tseng Jen-yi's fingerstyle acoustic guitar driving the arrangement, evoking a joyful mood reminiscent of African pop. ‘Squash Blossoms Back Home’ is a sentimental Mandarin-language ballad, paring down to gentle guitar, percussion and harmonica. This intimacy continues into the next portion of the album, particularly on the piano-led ‘Ijuljuvu Asu Palalj’ (Pick Up Your Feather), with Hung Tzu-lung's well-chosen harmonisations building to an affecting chorus. The earlier Latin grooves return on ‘Ooai’, replete with indie-rock electric guitar and breezy horn stabs.

The album concludes plaintively with ‘U Aljak’ (A Puppy Named Metal)’, in collaboration with the Interestring Quartet, sensitively orchestrated by Kiyo Yang. Though stylistically inconsistent, the album is tied together by Sauljiajui's voice, which can be fierce and tender in equal measure, and the strength of the production, making this a strong debut by a promising and vibrant artist.