Music > Album Reviews

Nahko and Medicine For The People - Hoka

09/06/16

Picking up where Dark as Night left off three years ago, Hoka continues on a mission of almost evangelical dimension as Nahko again uses cross-cultural reference points in imploring us to lead more altruistic and tolerant lives.  

I'm not a huge fan of albums that deliver music with revelatory expectations attached. When every  track is intent on force-feeding a politico-religious message down my already liberal and laidback throat, it is I that begins to feel violated..

Not that this is album is ever a difficult or uncomfortable listen. True, it sounds in places way too much like Mumford and Sons, and the hip-hop vocals in We Shall Overcome allude to early Kanye West or Black-Eyed Peas. But, putting that aside, this is a well structured and neatly delivered collection. Hawaiian, Latin and Native American rhythms provide the canvas onto which contemporary folk and ancient elemental narratives are earnestly and symbolically placed.

This is an album that serves up the perfect summer accompaniment to those late-night 'Have you ever tried to count all the stars in the sky?' conversations. But in the morning, the true relevance of Hoka will still shine through. Perfect for festivals and cider-fuelled philosophers. 

7/10