Zola Jesus – Conatus (2011) [Sacred Bones] // Grade: B+

From it’s announcement way back in June sometime up until it’s official release tomorrow, the fourth of October, I’ve anticipated Nika Roza Danilova’s freshest batch of profound synth/goth/whatever. That excitement I felt months ago has grown exponentially, snowballing into a glob of stellar expectations and fanaticism. Yes, I had high hopes for this one and not only were my needs met but I became head-to-toe entangled in the haunting vocal range of the enchantress as she underwent an entire germination and maturation cycle like a fully-awakened flower, nightshade perhaps, right before my ears.

I purposefully avoided downloading the singles as they were planted intermittently across the web, instead deciding to wait until I had a completed album in front of me before setting upon it. My untimely reacquaintance to Zola Jesus, although still prior to Conatus despite my steadfastness, came in the form of an introduction track on M83′s Hurry Up We’re Dreaming. The five-minute establishing shot, if you will, gave off a new sense of intrepidity where Zola is concerned. Needless to say, I was much pleased with the appetizer.

And now for the main course. Upon first listen some major differences popped out at me between previous efforts, more specifically Stridulum (I & II), Valusia EP as those releases are closest in feel and age, and this. Synthesized landscapes play a larger role here, assigning each track a corresponding environment with it’s own rhythmic qualities that accent her lamentations as opposed to drawing her out as she wails over the same underwhelming stock backgrounds, modified slightly with each song. Many would agree that Nika’s decision to minimize the reliance on bleak, shadowy, melodramatic orchestras leads her into popular territory. This is undeniably true but not a bad look for her.

The tracks on Conatus vary substantially from ice cold pop songs like “Seekir” and “Shivers” to the unfailing ballads like “Avalanche” and the final suite “Collapse”. She toys with the borders of her detached darkwave beginnings by pandering to the in-crowd with a new dance sensibility. With this accessibility comes a reinvigorated singer spreading her feathered wings with newfound awe and perspective, bypassing the stale slump that have tripped up so many others in her field. “In Your Nature” and “Lick The Palm of The Burning Handshake” are soulful imaginings that prove just how far she’s come as an artist apart from being two of my favorites on the album.

Both a strong record and a fine excuse to let that eyeliner run and that Corvette red lipstick smear.

- Casper