Emily Wurramara has announced the release of her long-awaited second album, Nara.
Set for release on 24 August via ABC Music, Nara beckons its listeners through mystical portals on a varicoloured journey through the years since Wurramara's debut album, Milyakburra in 2018.
Tracing intense highs and lows, from winning accolades and taking her music across the world to losing her house in a fire and struggling with her mental health, Wurramara ultimately arrived at peace in the knowledge that "it was when I had nothing, I realised I had everything".
The release of Nara has also been fittingly announced alongside Wurramara's most pop/dance-forward offering yet; protest club song Lordy Lordy ft. Tasman Keith.
The ARIA-nominated Tasmania-based First Nations artist and proud Warnindhilyagwa woman hailing from Groote Eylandt and Milyakburra/Bickerton Island said Lordy Lordy is about the hard work that you have to do when things go to shit.
"We're the next generation, so how can we honour those who've come before us, but also open up new pathways for those who are going to come after us? That's what its all about - community. The future," Wurramara said.
"It has always been a dream of mine to film something with the Red Flag Dancers in NT - it just makes sense, it's the place I was born, my family live there, I recorded the album there - it all feels like a full circle thing.
"My favourite thing about this film clip was seeing all the dancers coming on set: my mum, Red Flag, Uncle Jayden Drahm and my cousins.
"I just didn't realise how much it would impact me seeing these different entities and spirits from all across this country, and they each gave 10000 per cent."
Being a record five years in the making; Nara - meaning nothing in Anindilyakwa language - is an album reflecting Wurramara's trumps and troubles.
The seasoned vocals heard throughout the record offers a new perspective from Wurramara's point of view; she has let herself grow into an even more confident vocalist and artist.
While Nara has been in the works for some time, it is a collection of music that still captures a feeling of vibrancy and peace felt in the process. This is music that captivates from the start – a reminder of where Emily Wurramara has come from, and an exciting indication of where she is heading next.
The tracklist for NARA features, Midnight Blues, WWGBH ft. Zeppelin Hamilton, It's You, DTMN, FRIEND, STFAFM ft. Arringarri, Verandah, Lordy Lordy ft. Tasman Keith, Boom Biddy Bye See Me There ft. Lisa Mitchell, Magic Woman Dancing and Passport.
The new album also includes features from Wurramarra's teen idol Lisa Mitchell, Tasman Keith, Zeppelin Hamilton (Velvet Trip) and her little brother Arringarri.
With a live reputation via sold-out headline shows, appearances at prestige venues including the Sydney Opera House and countless stage events nationally including A Festival Called Panama, Groovin The Moo, RISING, Bluesfest, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Sydney Festival, YABUN Festival, Nara is set to see Emily Wurramara's career progressively grow, both on and off stage.
Catch Emily live at the following venues:
6 July - Bondi Festival: Proud, Proud Woman: A Ruby Hunter Tribute, Eora/Sydney, Gadigal Country NSW
10 August - NIMAs 2024 @ Darwin Amphitheatre, Garramilla/Darwin, Larrakia Country NT
23 November - Live at the Gardens - Naarm/Melbourne, Wurundjeri Country VIC (supporting Xavier Rudd)
NARA by Emily Wurramara will be released on Friday 23 August via ABC Music.
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