Shanti Celeste: A Unique Voice in Dance Music
Not many would categorize Shanti Celeste as a dance music creator who delves into abstract concepts regarding her compositions. For her, the notion of an album acting as the soundtrack for an unwritten film or a cosmic opera inspired by science fiction is not part of her creative process. Her acclaimed debut album, released in 2019 and titled Tangerine, was named simply becuase she “really loves fruit.” When a journalist sought deeper imagery that influenced her music, she succinctly responded: “Moments on the dancefloor.”
The Essence of Tangerine
Tangerine featured calming interludes alongside recordings of Celeste playing kalimba in her father’s living room back in Chile; she moved to the UK wiht her mother during childhood. However, its signature sound emerged from celeste herself—an intricate fusion of traditional US house influences from artists like Moodymann and Masters at Work mixed with euphoric rave elements and faster tempos reminiscent of techno. when asked to define this distinctive style, she coined it “rapid house.” Notably, after leaving school—disheartened by teachers who constantly questioned what her art represented—her career blossomed as a DJ, club promoter, label head, and eventually an artist herself. She candidly reflected on this journey saying, “I couldn’t articulate it; I just wanted to create.”
A Refreshing Outlook on Creativity
Weather one perceives this approach as lacking creativity or refreshingly straightforward within a genre often weighed down by pretentiousness is subjective.Nonetheless of viewpoint,it has not impeded Celeste’s advancement nor has she felt compelled to alter it over time. Fast forward six years—a period marked by numerous singles and remixes for notable acts such as orbital, Caribou, and ruf Dug. Her authenticity remains evident across every release.
The Follow-Up Album Romance
The successor to Tangerine is aptly named Romance; its title quickly reveals itself through lyrics like “Here’s a romance – take note as I’m lost without you,” along with another line stating “I’m more passionate about you than ever before.” While there are lyrics throughout Romance indicating it’s quite different from its predecessor—the influence of esteemed US dance producers persists—the majority of tracks feature rhythms that diverge considerably from conventional four-on-the-floor beats prevalent in most contemporary house music.
A Shift Towards Melody
The overall tempo feels slower compared to earlier works; instead of relying heavily on kick drums propelling each track forward aggressively like typical club hits do today—it leans into percussion sounds reminiscent of Celeste’s Latin American roots while flowing more like an R&B slow jam than anything else. The vocals also play an integral role here—they’ve been sporadic features as early releases but now take center stage throughout this album.
An Inviting Atmosphere
This transition towards melody results in brighter tunes where pop sensibilities shine through largely due to the airiness of her voice. Even tracks such as Unwind or Thinking About You—which have layered vocals—feel less focused on the dancefloor and more centered around melody itself—as if they are waiting for a club remix to emerge.
A Dreamy Soundscape
The songs may be too ethereal or hazy for conventional pop-R&B standards—they often avoid structured verses or choruses altogether opting instead for a more fluid mood-building approach—but they still manage to exude warmth and charm that creates their own unique atmosphere.Gentle As A Feather or Conceal To Self tend to cycle back onto themselves rather than progressing linearly but this doesn’t seem to effect their appeal as they remain engaging with the overall vibe being languid yet inviting.The most catchy tune here is Softie which features intermittent bursts sofdubby echoes adding depthto vocals while keeping listeners engaged throughout despite being relatively simple in thought process behinditshowcasesanartistwhoknowswhatsheneedsfromhermusic.
An Immersive Experience
Romance can easily serveas ambient background music perfect for lazy summer afternoons but truly shines when experienced fully immersed—with headphones allowing every detail within each track come alive around you.Whether enjoyed passively or actively engaged with listening closely—it offers enough intrigue showcasing why shanticelesteprefersnotlabelingherselfbecauseultimatelythisalbum speaks volumes without needing any description whatsoever!