Noga Erez
Today Noga Erez has announced the release of ‘KIDS (Against The Machine)’ – an album that mirrors her highly acclaimed second LP with each track recreated as bold non-electronic big band productions. The record will be released on November 5th through City Slang, and today she shares a freshly carved version of ‘KIDS’ album track “Knockout”.
Each single of bass-heavy pop and snappy lyricism released in the lead up to the February’s album ‘KIDS’ was answered with a stripped back “Against The Machine” alternative version. These reimagined recordings found a life of their own, racking up plays and featuring on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and Kelly Clarkson Live in the US. Now Noga Erez and her creative partner Ori Rousso complete the set with a full album of “Against The Machine” reworks.
Erez comments: “The KIDS AGAINST THE MACHINE series that Ori Rousso and I started was something we mainly did for fun; a way to challenge ourselves. We wanted a chance to show each other and our fans that these songs could be reimagined without our signature electronic productions. These versions became instant faves for many - for those who love the more organic, woody and brassy sound.
This whole KATM project instantly took on a life of its own and because of how much fun it was to create, we ended up working on an entire album, but arranged and produced without any ‘machines’ and played live by our talented musician friends and accompanied by the incredible NONA kids choir.
“Knockout" stood out to us because the original version is very brash and bold. It is the one that made the most significant transition, which turned into a more fun, light listen, and actually became the main single of this project.”
Listen to “Knockout (Against The Machine)”: https://youtu.be/Xsu_22_JzNM
Building from the raw politics of her 2017 debut, 'Off The Radar', 'KIDS' moves closer to home while retaining Noga’s signature smarts and swagger. The album explores themes of tension and release, anxiety and remedy, and masterly melodic licks in swipes of stomping brass, all wrapped around Noga’s versatile vocals that quick-switch from clipped flow to smoky purr; from stadium chorus to street-ready beats.
'KIDS' comes packed with chart-worthy outspoken pop anthems for the 21st century. It showcases Noga’s style, growing into a crisp bombastic sound she crafts with Ori Rousso. Its earworms and crisp productions are locked around lyrics that deal with the personal and the political; mortality and loss; war and peace, insecurity and ambition. Listen to 'KIDS' here.
"You won’t hear a better pop album this year. I doubt you’ll hear a better rap album this year… I promise you, KIDS will become a fix you need daily, hourly. My album of the year thus far.” - The Quietus
Praise for KIDS
“If KIDS were a painting, it would be a Mondrian - all bright, primary colours and sharp lines.” - The Sunday Times
"There’s not a song on here that wouldn’t snap me to attention if I heard it in public.” - i Newspaper
"Bass-heavy songs with pop hooks, thoughtful lyrics and a trap framework." - Metro
“End Of The Road is sardonic, minimalist and fire-stoking.” - The Guardian
“Snapping her words like gum, Erez ricochets smartly against bright, blocky beats.” - MOJO
"Punching through with aplomb, via 13 lean, attitudinal songs with a bassmusic and hip-hop/trap chassis, fitted out with pop hooks and featuring her fine, versatile voice.” - Uncut
“Politically charged dance music — throbbing stuff whose aggressive, cathartic force is only magnified by messages about power and independence” — NPR Music
"Erez knows that her voice can be powerful; not just in a political sense but in a literal musical one. Her delivery goes from childlike to confrontational, fitting playground anthems and punctuating insults.” - Loud & Quiet
