Night Reign

Aftab’s 2021 album Vulture Prince transcended art music obscurity to enjoy blanket broadsheet coverage. It won the Pakistani-American artist a Grammy in a global category and yielded a Best New Artist nomination alongside eventual winner Oliva Rodrigo. Night Reign somehow surpasses its justifiably garlanded predecessor. Aftab’s minimalist influenced jazz-folk style is given greater expression through Night Reign’s exquisite arrangements. The use of a Gryphon gives ‘Na Gul’ an Appalachian lilt, ’til a flugelhorn enters in duet, casting us into unfamiliar but intriguing territory. The originality of Aftab’s cover of jazz standard ‘Autumn Leaves’ is astounding. Built on percussion that evokes a blacksmith skillfully forging a prayer bowl, Aftab’s voice is offset by sporadic bass and complemented by an angular Rhodes solo. There are many moments of wonder on this elegant and affecting album.