First Nations musician Emily Wurramara has announced the release of her new album – NARA – and national Australian tour.

The studio album is the second from the the ARIA-nominated, multi-award-winning lutruwita/Tasmania-based artist, activist, author and proud Warnindhilyagwa woman hailing from Groote Eylandt and Milyakburra/Bickerton Island.

Whilst her debut album Milyakburra (2018) leaned heavily into folk, blues and roots sounds, NARA expands into widescreen, surprising spaces without losing the organic timelessness of Wurramara's songwriting.

A self-described "rebirth" album titled for the Anindilyakwa word meaning "nothing", NARA beckons its listeners through mystical portals on a varicoloured journey of growth.

The album includes features from Wurramarra's teen idol Lisa Mitchell, Tasman Keith, Zeppelin Hamilton (Velvet Trip) and her little brother Arringarri in his debut.

NARA sees Wurramara skilfully weave a cohesive tapestry that draws from indie, alt-pop, RnB, soul seaside-folk, roots/blues/rock, bard-like compositions, pop/electronic "protest club music" and ambient influences as she shares her journey of highs and devastating lows.

Co-produced by Wurramara and Kuya James a.k.a. James Mangohig (A.B. Original, Daniel Johns) and recorded at Boat Ramp Studios on Larrakia Country in Garramilla/Darwin, NARA also marks the singer's first foray as a producer.

Wurramarra said she had an "incredible time" writing the album with her James, a process which took years to complete.

"I just feel like this next album is so empowering and will empower so many people to be and live in their truth. And the power of the vulnerability within that and within ourselves is just limitless," she said.

"When we just... enter spaces or enter friendships or relationships and connections with pure love, I feel like... when I lost everything in a house fire, the word Nara, my mom actually tattooed on me."

"And so Nara in Anindilyakwa means nothing. And the reason why I wanted to call this album Nara is because when I had nothing, I realised I had everything.

"It wasn't the physical thing, it wasn't like the dresses, it wasn't like my phone, it wasn't like all of these physical material things that we think that we desperately need in this society.

"It was about the people, it was about the presence, it was about the power of human genuine connection.

"And that's what this album is about, connecting with people, providing them a safe space to feel what they need to feel most importantly."

Written over the course of 13 years amidst becoming a mother, struggling with thoughts of leaving the world, loosing her house in a devastating fire and moving from Meanjin/Brisbane to lutruwita/Tasmania, NARA's 12 tracks are the testament of a soul finally at peace, anchored by a deep love, respect and appreciation for community, family and Country.

"I believe Magic Woman Dancing is the oldest song on the album that I wrote in high school," Wurramara said.

"And so this album explores the ups, the downs, all the good, the bad, the magic, all of those portals that we have to walk in as human beings."

Whilst there are several great hits on the new album, Nara's focus track 'STFAFM' ft. Arringarri is more of a mental health anthem with a surprisingly cheeky tone many haven't seen from Wurramara before .

STFAFM was penned on a return trip to her ancestral home of Milyakburra/Bickerton Island, with the stream-of-consciousness lyrics flowing freely from her and features Emily's little brother, spoken word poet Arringarri in his musical debut.

The new track was recently performed live at the National Indigenous Music Awards and celebrates the power of healthy boundaries, with a heart-warming one-shot video filmed at the Holmes Jungle Nature Reserve on Larrakia Country - featuring Wurramara's family.

"The inspiration for this was community, it's at the very heart of the song (and clip)," Wurramara said.

"There's no ill intent when you tell someone to 'STFAFM', it's probably the nicest thing to be honest because it is so real.

"'STFAFM' reminds me of my strength and the power of 'no'. That no matter what, I have to keep getting up and trying again, because I deserve that and I'm worth all the good yummy things.

"I think this song really is the point of the album, where I'm like 'this is who I am and this is what I stand for'.

"Freedom sounds like when you have courage in self, belief in self, love in self, pain in self - freeing that ego, releasing, letting go. That's when I think true liberation happens."

With previous and upcoming appearances and performers at Sydney Opera House, A Festival Called Panama, Groovin The Moo, RISING, Bluesfest, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Sydney Festival, YABUN Festival, The Gum Ball, Badayijeng Ninggoowoong-Woorr Festival, BlakYard Picnic and more, the talented singer's career and passion for storytelling is flourishing.

Although this new album marks somewhat of a refreshed new era for Wurramara, she continues to bring her down-to earth nature and powerful presence to each and every performance.

"I've already started working on new music because I just love creating and I'm purely here for the music," Wurramara told Style Up.

"So there's so many amazing festivals I'm playing at next year, so many beautiful places that I'll be going to, so many more beautiful people I'll be connecting with and I am just so excited for whatever comes my way.

"I'm very grateful and thankful for all these deadly opportunities I've had and I can't wait to see what's to come."

NARA tour dates

1 November - Wild Village Festival, Boorloo/Perth, Whadjuk Noongar Country WA

8 November - Waywards At The Bank, Eora/Sydney, Gadigal Country NSW

9 November - Stag & Hunter, Mulubinba/Newcastle, Awabakal & Worimi Country NSW

15 November - The Royal Oak, Kanamaluka/Launceston, lutruwita/TAS

23 November - Live at the Gardens - Naarm/Melbourne, Wurundjeri Country VIC*

24 November - Queenscliff Music Festival, Wadawurrung Country VIC

29 November - It's Still A Secret, Meanjin/Brisbane, Turrbal Country QLD

30 November - Mixtape Sessions @ Studio 188, Tulmur/Ipswich, Jagera Country QLD

1 December - Brunswick Heads Picture House, Bundjalung Country NSW

*supporting Xavier Rudd

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