Tony Njoku

A gift for combining an array of musical perspectives into a unified whole” - The Guardian

“An artist in constant exploration, he detonates the dividing line between genre,
masculinity, and race” - CLASH

“It’s hard to think of anyone who is fusing the same elements in the same way as Njoku” - The Quietus

“Continuing to turn high art into sonic form." - Mixmag

London based songwriter, producer and composer Tony Njoku has shared a new single “Pepper (ALT Version)” a string quartet accompanied rework of a well loved track by Njoku. “Pepper (ALT Version)” is taken from Encore, a new EP set for release on 15 November via PRAH Recordings.

“Pepper (ALT Version)” adds new dimensions to an already poignant and atmospheric piano piece as an ode to a new birth. The closely recorded keys of the original make way for a grander and more reverberant tone, as the track blossoms into a new life with the addition of violins, viola and cello. All instruments are composed and arranged by Njoku.

Speaking about the new single, Njoku offer:

“The response to the BBC 6Music session was overwhelming. Here is “Encore” - five renditions of lush orchestral arrangements, including a string and piano version of ‘Pepper’ - a meditation on quiet hope as a response to the good news of a newborn child being brought safely into the world.”

The inspiration for Encore comes following public demand for a collection of new string, piano and vocal arrangements of previously released songs, which Njoku reworked for a BBC Radio 6 live session, which coincided with the release of previous EP ‘Last Bloom’. Encore includes tracks from across Njoku’s recent works, as well as a cover of ‘Hope There’s Someone’ by ANOHNI.

Tony Njoku has been an artist in perpetual evolution since first releasing music. Always refusing to operate within his comfort zones, constantly developing his practice and pushing to see change and representation in traditionally exclusive musical spaces. Upcoming EP Encore is the curtain call on what Njoku would call his “Bloom EPs”, with Encore completing a series of 4 releases which have seen Njoku metamorphose as an artist across the body of work.

The Bloom EPs, all released via PRAH Recordings, see Tony harness maturity, mindfulness and newly finessed musical ability to express core emotions of love, grief and joy, as well as themes of family, heritage and conflict. The Bloom corpus includes instrumental piano compositions, deft electronic ambience, minimalist orchestral moments and now string quartet arrangements.

Njoku’s work before the Bloom EPs include several critically acclaimed releases incorporating vocals, synths, drums and a more maximalist production ethos. His previous work drew influence from a sprawling map of touchstones that takes in everything from Aphex Twin and early Warp Records, to trap-inspired hip-hop, spooled out hyperpop and R&B.

It was 2022 EP Sketches & Noodles of Bloom, his debut for PRAH, where he first embraced the idea of stripping works back to a solo piano. Continuing to push into the world of classical and compositional music with following EPs Our New Bloom and Last Bloom, Njoku has taken ownership of the classical tag, pushing the genre forward with his talent for experimental production and personal storytelling. Bringing the Bloom EPs to an end with Encore is a full circle moment for Njoku, with the arrangements of old songs designed to be reflective and meditative, using moments within the music to take stock of what has been learned and how these lessons can be taken forward.

As Njoku looks to take his new creative practice into the future, there’s a fire stoked within him for more collaboration, chiefly with artists of colour and especially within the neo / post classical world. By reappropriating traditional western instruments and arrangements to tell stories of heritage and culture, Njoku wants to, in his own words, “Decolonise the genre”.