Waku: Minaral a Minalay is the eighth studio album by Torres Strait Islander-born, Australian singer Christine Anu. The album was recorded in several places including Cairns, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Torres Strait Islands and the Solomon Islands and was originally scheduled for release on 19 July 2024 before being pushed back to 2 August 2024.[1][2]
| Waku: Minaral a Minalay | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 2 August 2024 | |||
| Venue | Cairns, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Torres Strait Islands, Solomon Islands | |||
| Length | 51:57 | |||
| Label | ABC | |||
| Producer | David Bridie | |||
| Christine Anu chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Waku: Minaral a Minalay | ||||
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Via a press release, Anu said the "waku" means "the mat". Anu said "You do everything in your life on that mat, and when you die, you're covered by it – like a blanket." Anu continued saying, "This album is about reconnecting with my grandfather as a young father back in post-World War II, in the Torres Strait region. I sing about a time from long ago... Waku: Minaral a Minalay creates a landscape, a picture, a soundscape of feeling like you were there listening to these songs when they were being made."[3] The album includes songs written by Anu, her grandfather (Nadi) and her daughter (Zipporah).[4]
The album's title track was nominated for Song of the Year at the National Indigenous Music Awards 2024.[5]
On 27 July 2024, Anu released a mini-documentary of the sane name support the album.[6]
Anu will further promote the album with performances at Mt Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships Rock Concert on 8 August 2024, Cairns Festival on 23 August 2024, and North Australian Festival of Arts on 13 October 2024.[7]
At the 2024 ARIA Music Awards, the album was nominated for Best World Music Album.[8]
Reception
editAndrew Stafford from The Guardian said "Waku is a grownup, bilingual album by an artist in full command of her identity and artistry."[9]
Greg Phillips from Australian Musician called the album "unquestionably, the most important work of Christine's three-decade career to date."[7] The Australian called the album "stunning, stirring bilingual fusion."
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Melawal" | Nadi Anu | 2:03 |
| 2. | "Koey Dhoerim" | N. Anu | 2:14 |
| 3. | "Waku: Minaral a Minalay" | 4:55 | |
| 4. | "The Coming Monsoon" |
| 3:49 |
| 5. | "Nur Nur" |
| 3:21 |
| 6. | "Tobacco and Vicks" |
| 1:42 |
| 7. | "When It Rains" | Bridie | 2:48 |
| 8. | "Aukum of Saibai" |
| 4:24 |
| 9. | "My Popu Nadhi Anu" |
| 4:59 |
| 10. | "Laga Saibai" | N. Anu | 2:46 |
| 11. | "Dhibagaw Gabu" | Zipporah Corser Anu | 2:28 |
| 12. | "Sesku" | N. Anu | 0:42 |
| 13. | "The Crab and the Suckerfish (Gapu a Githalay)" |
| 3:37 |
| 14. | "Kole Kolele" | N. Anu | 1:32 |
| 15. | "Adhibuya" |
| 2:26 |
| 16. | "Ari Pudhiz" | Bridie | 3:45 |
| 17. | "Laga Wakemab" | N. Anu | 4:18 |
| Total length: | 51:57 | ||
Charts
edit| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Independent Albums (AIR)[10] | 9 |
References
edit- ^ a b "Christine Anu - Waku - Minaral A Minalay". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ^ "Waku Minaral A Minalay". Am Rap. May 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
- ^ "Christine Anu Shares Details Of First Original Album In 20 Years". The Music. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ^ "Christine Anu weaves her story in music and countertenor Iestyn Davies makes his Australian debut". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2 August 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ Mary Varvaris (19 July 2024). "The Kid LAROI & Barkaa Lead National Indigenous Music Awards Nominations". The Music. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ "Waku - 'Minaral A Minalay' A Journey - Mini Documentary". YouTube. 27 July 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Christine Anu's First Original Album in 20 Years". Australian Musician. 2 August 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ "ARIA Awards 2024 nominations — everything you need to know". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 26 September 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ "Christine Anu: 'I don't think I was ready for any new material'". The Guardian (newspaper). 28 July 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ "Independent Label Albums – 12th August 2024". Australian Independent Record Labels Association. 12 August 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.