Tracklist:

Nina
Window
Set In Stone
La Mamma

It was these words from Nina Simone – Ill tell you what freedom is to me, no fear – that have both inspired and resonated with the life story and music of anas, a fascinating new artist who today announces her debut EP Before Zero. Unsurprisingly, the first track to be shared is an ode to her hero, Nina.
Born in Toulouse, France but of Senegalese, French and Italian origin, anas was moved suddenly to Dublin by her then single (and full of wanderlust) mother. Not speaking any English when she arrived in Ireland, she remained silent at school for 7 months until she had perfected the language without any trace of a French accent. Only two years later she was sent to spend a year in Dakar where her father had returned and where yet again she couldnt speak the native language and struggled to communicate or feel at home. In her early teens anas made yet another move to Oakland, California to be with her mother, where her encounter with African-American culture finally led anas to have a sense of belonging.
Her debut EP Before Zero began life when anas was studying at NYU at their highly prestigious Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music where her friends and contemporaries were Arca and Gallant. With a move to London in the Spring of 2015 she began to make connections and further her music.
Alongside the exquisite Nina on the EP sit two more original tracks Set In Stone and Window – as well as a wonderfully moving cover of Charles Aznavours La Mamma. All written and produced by anas herself, its a fiercely intelligent observation of the world from the perspective of a young black woman whos traveled extensively and has no real place to call home. But while its socially and politically astute and intended to open a conversation, its also beautifully, compellingly accessible.