Once upon a time, many moons ago, the classically trained soprano who goes by the name of Zola Jesus (Nika Roza Danilova to mummy and daddy) showed up in Glasgow as support to the one and only Fever Ray.
To even attempt to out weird and reach similar levels of creepiness to the otherworldly Karin Dreijer Andersson, particularly for one so young, was quite something in itself and perhaps ever since that tour Danilova has looked to that very high bar set by the likes of Andersson.
Fast forward four years later we have Zola Jesus on her fourth record, looking to maintain a steady pace of progression that has seen latest release Taiga shift further away from an emphasis on an operatic goth mood, which had been the focus on most of her work prior to now.
‘Go (Blank Sea)’ is an early indication in the set of this shift, Danilova sounding closer to electronic synth pop than ever before; special mention should go to the manic bongo drums which crash down as she wails and hollers in her titanic fashion “set me free”.
The lush yet unsettling ‘Nail’ is another set highlight from the latest release, with one member of Danilova’s band appearing to multi task on around three instruments almost simultaneously, including some impressive trombone action.
Meanwhile, ‘Long Way Down’ recalls some of Danilova’s earlier more emotive and operatic material, on stage she seems to assume the guise of a sort of mythical creature intent on stomping around with a manic flash here and there.
This possessed persona sees Ms. Danilova venture into the crowd towards the later part of the set, a brave move that results in her mixing it with the likes of Bananas in Pyjamas, The Joker and Danger Mouse this Halloween night.
As if inspired by the rattle and hum of the dark synth bed of noise, she runs in circles in and around the stage, apparently unable to keep still amid the band’s throbbing bombinations.
Not that such histrionics would count for much without her idiosyncratic yet majestic hurricane of a voice, this is the one constant throughout the eighty or so minutes of stage time, and despite all the shifts in moods and attempts to build a more compelling body of work, it could be argued that the voice continues to remain her most potent weapon.
For all that the newer material impresses and makes up the vast majority of this eves musical choices, it is with early single ‘Night’ that the night finishes on, again showcasing that potent weapon and throwing just as much madness and energy into her early output as the new shiny toys.
Tonight, this Danger Mouse can say with some degree of confidence that Zola Jesus has set a considerable bar for herself without any need to vie for creep points with Fever Ray and the like.
Words: Andy Quigley
Photos: Daphne Michalaki
