
London duo ZENA, formed by Yohan Kebede and Menelik, introduce themselves through music that advances by small internal shifts. Basslines hold a narrow register, adjusting weight and placement as keyboard figures move in short arcs, often returning altered by timing or pressure. Elements linked to Ethiopian musical heritage surface through phrasing and interval choice, absorbed into the fabric of the parts rather than foregrounded. Early live shows appear to have tightened this interplay, with sections pared back until each movement serves a clear function. Released via Brownswood Recordings, the record settles through accumulation, gaining force as its details align.