In My Dreams (I'm a Bird and I'm Free) out now

Five years in the making, the new album by Auntie Flo is out now. Here is the story behind the album, digging into how each track can to be. Music is about story telling and we hope you enjoy this one

In My Dreams (I'm A Bird And I'm Free), the new album by Auntie Flo is released today on limited edition purple vinyl, digital download and streaming.

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Releasing music is fundamentally about connection and story telling. This album tells the story of human connection through a 'Bird's Eye View', traversing the globe and nesting in locations such as Goa, Istanbul, Nairobi, Mexico City, Waiheke Island, Rio De Janeiro, Seoul and more...

Bird's are free to roam, and music is a way for us humans to break down the barriers that block us from doing so.

It's been both a joy and immense challenge to put this album together: I was determined to focus on its craft, spending time and money to make it the best sounding record I've ever made.

Each track on In My Dreams (I’m A Bird and I’m Free) represents a different chapter in my journey:

Nightjar

Nightjar, featuring poet and vocalist Joshua Idehen, explores the concept of freedom and migration through the lens of bird flight, with Idehen’s words delivering a poignant contrast between the freedom of birds and the constraints humans face due to political and societal barriers.

Green City

The lead single Green City is a timeless afrobeat-inspired joyride, highlighting the supreme vocal talents of Kenyan based singer Ambasa Mandela, with the keys of Kokoroko’s Yohan Kebede, drums from Laurie Pitt (ex Golden Teacher), guitar by Ziggy Funk and keys by Joe Howe. It captures the ambition of the entire record starting as a field recording in Nairobi, traversing the globe before closing the loop back in Kenya. The original sample is here:

Bird’s Eye View

Bird’s Eye View revives a track originally conceived in collaboration with Shingai Shoniwa (ex-Noisettes). The song, which the duo performed at the first Havana World Music Festival in Cuba, was reworked for the album, capturing the vibrant atmosphere of that moment and the theme of migration that pervades the album.

çatlak patlak

çatlak patlak (translated as “crack and break”) draws on Turkish nursery rhymes and features an anonymous vocalist, lending the track an off-kilter, DIY punk feel. Ziggy Funk’s driving bassline and Laurie Pitt’s drum fills add to the track’s raw, experimental energy, invoking the 1980s NYC underground scene - think Liquid Liquid and ESG meets Barış Manço.

Walk DF

WalkDF tackles the challenge of open borders head on, sampling pedestrian crossing lights from Mexico City in the aftermath of the first term of Trump, where ‘building walls’ was the central message of his first tenure. The original sample can be heard here:

Aker The Lion God

Aker The Lion God was born from field recordings made on Waiheke Island, New Zealand. This ethereal track combines environmental sounds with a conch shell recorded in Brazil, weaving together subtle layers of flute and bassline reminiscent of Charanjit Singh’s iconic proto-acid house album Ten Ragas to a Disco Beat.

Freedom Of Birds

Freedom of Birds encapsulates the spirit of Auntie Flo’s live performances, having been a staple opener during the Radio Highlife tour. Featuring a dynamic berimbau recording from Rio de Janeiro, and enhanced by live bass, drums, and keys, the track captures the album’s vibrant energy.

Nighthawk

Nighthawk was made in collaboration with Ecuadorian superstar Nicola Cruz, providing raw modular synth sounds to accompany a conch shell flute that evokes the sounds of the deep Amazon.

Sandpiper

Sandpiper was made in Seoul with Daegum flute player Seuingmin Cha. Inspired, in part, by a trip to the DMZ - the ‘demilitarised zone’ that divides the North and South, it highlights another border that birds can cross far easier than humans.

Auntie Florie RIP

Auntie Florie RIP serves as the emotional anchor of the album. The song is dedicated to d’Souza’s late Goan aunt, Auntie Florie, whose hymns and spirit are immortalized in this touching tribute. Recorded during d’Souza’s visit to Goa, this track reflects the personal roots that run through the entire album.

Thanks to Sijya for the artwork, Scott Knapper at Konk for the mixdowns, Orion Agassi for the masters. And crucially, thanks to everyone supporting, sharing and listening :)

Tune in today at WorldwideFM for more

Remember, paid supporters will receive all music released on the label for free, including this album.