Rina Mushonga - ' ‘Ata|antA’' (Single)

‘Ata|antA’ is the compelling new genre-bending single from Dutch-Zimbabwean singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Rina Mushonga.

'Atalanta', derived from the Greek word "atalantos" meaning "equal in weight" also acts as a heroine of Greek Mythology, where in Roman poet Ovid's "Metamorphosis" (Book 10), she is famed for her proficiency as a huntress. For being fast footed and unwilling to marry any man who could not beat her in a race. For being as physically powerful and as independent as any man who dared challenge her. For being an embodiment of female survival and strength.

However, where Atalanta the huntress soon revealed herself to be the victim of flaws, Rina Mushonga's 'Ata|antA' is as close to perfection as you can get. This is one of those beauty of a tracks that hooks you in within the first second of pressing play, through use of weighty, energetic splashes of electro beats and moreish Afropop riffs that make way for Rina's breathtaking vocals to defiantly cry out with the richest, warmest of textures.

"I'll get up, I'll get up" becomes a significant lyrical mantra of self-empowerment and determination, new beginnings and learning from mistakes, as spellbinding synth becomes a layered undercurrent channelling the 80s-esque sci-fi chime many of us could recognise from the musical revival that the Stranger Things soundtrack has brought us, before building into layers of pure, unadulterated, colourful, inspired, cross-culture, multi-genre, BLISS.

Where Atalanta may be the inspiration of Rina Mushonga's story, Ringa Mushonga's music may deftly be becoming the inspiration of mine. I can't get enough of this track, constantly finding something new to fall in love with during each listen.

Words of Karla Harris