Press shot by Timon Benson, Alexander Luc, Omar Afridi, VUJA DÉThe Manchester/Berlin-based duo of Joshua Tarelle Reid and Joshua Inyang, better known as Space Afrika, have officially announced their highly anticipated new album, Quiet Storm. Set for release on September 25 via Dais Records, the announcement arrives alongside the lead single and music video, ”If This Is Hell ft. Deuén,” directed by Pablo Dunkerly.
Known for their raw, intensely detailed, and visceral approach to sound, the UK act has previously garnered critical acclaim for drawing spacious, urban dubscapes out of ambient, trip-hop, techno, and modern classical textures—most notably on their 2021 LP, Honest Labour. With Quiet Storm, the duo expands their multidisciplinary vision into a sprawling, collaborative body of work shaped by profound patience and intention. The upcoming record explores themes of spirituality, the human condition, and the tension between boldness and softness, featuring an eclectic list of contributors including Axelle Fanyo, Alto Aria, Klein, RXKNephew, Tony Njoku, Kiala Ogawa, and Kelly Moran.
The first taste of the album comes in the form of the single “If This Is Hell,” built around a single-take, stream-of-consciousness delivery from New York City’s Kaiuna Odogba, aka Deuén. Assembled over jazzy, frenetic percussion, the track navigates a relatable array of spiralling thought patterns, building tension until the phased drums and sharp conversational phrases cut out abruptly following the final lyric, “I wonder if that’s what heaven’s like?” The accompanying music video, directed by Pablo Dunkerly, visually grounds this striking sonic contrast.
The multidisciplinary nature of the project is further anchored by a collaboration with the celebrated American conceptual artist Glenn Ligon, whose work explores Black identity and language. Ligon provided his 2009 piece Figure #30 for the LP’s cover art and, upon hearing the finished audio, bestowed the album its title, referencing the smooth, late-night 1970s radio format known for its intimate themes of life and love.
Album Cover Artwork by Glenn Ligon“We challenged ourselves and our own notions of identity, around class and diaspora, and how that is represented across musical genres,” Joshua Tarelle Reid notes of the album’s direction. Joshua Inyang adds, “We’ve stayed true to ourselves. It’s music from the heart. It’s music that has a particular rawness to it, but we’ve articulated that in a more modern classic structure.”
Ahead of the September 25 release on Dais Records, Space Afrika will be presenting their work across a series of live dates, festivals, and international art exhibitions.
Space Afrika Tour Dates & Exhibitions:
till Sep 6 – London, UK @ Barbican (In Other Worlds exhibition by Liam Young – music contribution)
June 6 – 14 – London, UK @ ICA (The Dark Wood sound installation and film screening with Valentin Noujaïm)
June 27 – Blackpool, UK @ The Blacklights Festival, Blackpool Opera House (Album Live Premiere)
July 25 – Devon, UK @ Peep Festival (Hybrid Set)
July 29 – Amsterdam, NL @ Dekmantel Opening Concert, Oude Kerk
Oct 24 – London, UK @ Magazine (Supporting Autechre)
