LP - Sevdaliza: Ison

On her debut album, the Iranian-born Netherlands-based singer and multidisciplinary artist Sevdaliza establishes herself as a provocateur with a sense of global mission. Some artists, it seems, have an irrepressible drive to ride the razor’s edge, to go places the world isn’t necessarily ready or willing to explore. For that type of artist, creation alone isn’t enough. ISON establishes Sevdaliza as an artist-provocateur with a sense of global mission. Provocative in the most generous sense, ISON’s messages both jar and invite. Sevdaliza is also blessed with a huckster’s knack for hyping her efforts via high-minded concepts. The album cover, for instance, frames Sevdaliza as mother to herself, to her past lives, and to the album’s 16 songs.