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Live Review: Premiere: Zola Jesus 'Compass'

Whether you knew it or not, this is the premiere you've been waiting for. Strong, captivating, emotionally powerful - you'll have this song on loop.

Whether you knew it or not this is the moment you've been waiting for. This is the premiere of a song powerful in every aspect - vocally, lyrically and musically.

With electronic, classical, goth and experimental rock influences, Nika Roza Danilova better known as Zola Jesus has created yet another striking piece for the books.

The simple piano chords are the perfect introduction to Zola Jesus's strikingly powerful voice which provides us, as the listeners, with the elegant and compelling lyrics that captivate the audience, drawing an emotional response from every ear.

According to Q magazine, Zola Jesus's "haunting vocals and swirling, electronic atmospherics are located midway between Florence Welch (Florence And The Machine) and Siouxsie and the Banshees". These comparisons arising significantly throughout Compass; although despite her constant comparisons, Zola brings a unique and personalised emotion and power to an extremely engaging, and relatable piece.

Zola Jesus's strong vocals, in conjunction with the backing of African sounding percussion throughout the climactic sections of the piece, gain a sense of extraordinary strength; challenged only by the constant build up and collapse of intensity.

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After 3 EP's and 5 full length albums, it is no wonder that Zola Jesus has again created a beautifully emotional, and strikingly untarnished song ready to take music lovers by storm with it's release.

Words by Stella Cameron

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STREAM: M83 ft. Zola Jesus 'INTRO'