Bedouine, real name Azniv Korkejian, was born in Aleppo to Armenian parents, lived in Saudi Arabia as a child, moved to America when her family won a green card lottery, and settled in LA, eventually piquing the interest of discerning artist and label boss Matthew E White.
Perhaps in response to her nomadic upbringing, there is a still, lived-in quality to her music, though her debut elegantly shape-shifts between Americana, country, cosmic folk and sun-scorched soul. Nick Drake echoes throughout Heart Take Flight, with its lilting guitar and her voice both wistful and resolute, while the introduction to One of These Days has the cosy bounce of Starland Vocal Band’s Afternoon Delight. There is something so comforting about these songs – it’s like tuning into a lost radio station from the 70s, rich in nostalgia, innocence and the warmth of old analog instruments. One of the most understated and charming albums of the year.
