Mustafa - When Smoke Rises

 

The soothingly chilling anecdotes of Mustafa's friends lost through the gang violence within Toronto with the resulting trauma and grief make a riveting debuting piece in 'When Smoke Rises.'

'Stay Alive', which starts 'When Smoke Rises' wonderfully, is a warning to youth to distance themselves from gang activity. Over a pleasing acoustic guitar, the soothing Mustafa advises that 'the tribes and street signs' will not be worth it for the youth. Taking part in these tribes and street signs will result in a 'price on their heads' and the grim possibility of the 'cameras and cops being the stars on their mothers' news screens.'

The euphemism in 'Don't crease you air forces, just say inside tonight, you know what's outside'. The imagery of 'you say it's okay, but you tucked your chain like if they take it, I won't see you for a while, and I tell you how I feel, in case it's the last time.' A great showcase of songwriting from Mustafa in the first verse of 'Air Forces' as his concern is apparent through his pleasant vocals for someone already trapped within the gang activity. Furthermore, the production from the trio of Jamie xx, Simon On the Moon and Frank Dukes is sonically fitting for 'Air Forces', mainly through the sampling of a Sudanese Tribal chant and employment of low-key synths and guitar.

Following the decent ballad in 'Separate', where Mustafa seemingly holds on to a dying friend, watching him 'fade away,' the Toronto singer-songwriter then feels vengeance in 'The Hearse.' The jarringly rhythmic synth riff, vocal samples, and pleasant acoustic guitar complement a satisfyingly cold Mustafa 'tired of losing all of his dawgs', willing to 'throw his life away for his friends' within his rage.

Grief and overcoming it is expressed beautifully in 'Capo.' The euphemism of 'shadows and stones' implies a sorrowful, lonely Mustafa watching the graves of his friends. The grief is immense as Mustafa could not scrub it off, exhausting him as he 'cannot go much longer.' When Mustafa sang 'it's time,' it evoked a fearful, ambiguous vibe. Following the spoken word interlude by Smoke Dawg, one of Mustafa's late friends,  Sampha is an angelic force, breathing fine and saying,  'it's time to pray, overcoming the state of grief, contrasting Mustafa's verse.

Over minimalistic yet spacey drums, guitar and low-key synths, Mustafa delivers a touching tribute to his late friend Ali Rizeig in 'Ali.' Near the album's close, an anxious Mustafa questions if his late friend can pass through Heaven's gate in 'What About Heaven.' Over folk-flavoured guitar and the return of the sampling of Sudanese tribal chants, Mustafa is uncertain for his late friend, will he be 'forgiven' or not? 'Come Back' ends the album sweetly. James Blake feature appearance through his chilling piano pattern and pleasing distorted vocals aid Mustafa yearning for the days he 'was warm' and 'not knowing he was poor.'

Mustafa's beautiful vocals and intriguing songwriting led a journey through his past with gang violence and the friends that he lost from it. The grim imagery and euphemism in 'Stay Alive' and 'Air Forces' depict the frightening nature of the gang activity in Toronto. Meanwhile, the feelings of grief and vengeance after a friend's death are illustrated well, especially in  'The Hearse' and 'Capo.' A brilliant debut from Mustafa, eager for what he releases in the future. 

Best Track(s): Capo, Air Forces, The Hearse, Come Back, Stay Alive, Ali 

8.5/10.