MUMBAI: LNDFK (pronounced L.N.D.F.K.) is the moniker of Linda Feki, producer and songwriter, born in Sousse, Tunisia, and raised in Naples, Italy. After touring Europe in 2019, sharing the stage with the likes of Kamasi Washington and Mndsgn, and a performance at Primavera Sound which won over fans and critic, she’s set for 2021 to be a breakout year. For the album, her homeland and her traditions have helped to nourish her desire to rediscover and engage her roots through art and music. Her music uniquely blends jazz, neo-soul, electronic and hip-hop influences. After releasing a number of critically acclaimed singles with tastemaker radio support (Gilles Peterson & Tom Ravenscroft (BBC), NTS, Worldwide FM), she’s gearing up to drop her debut album in the fall on Brooklyn’s Bastard Jazz Recordings.
The first single from the album, “Don’t Know I’m Dead Or Not” features Miami rapper Chester Watson, one of the brightest emerging stars in the alternative hip-hop scene. Chester’s smooth late night flow amplifies the dark tones of the track and compliments LNDFK’s soft yet powerful voice. The track (and forthcoming album) is co-produced with Dario Bass and thematically is deeply symbolic, being centered around the theme of the mental disorder depersonalization (a mental dissociative disorder in which the perception of oneself and surrounding environment feels detached). A portion of the proceeds from this song will go to Restart, a mental health support office for Italian musicians.
The new song, “Don’t Know I’m Dead or Not,” plunges into this mental disorder as it unfolds in three movements. In the first part, the song is restless and slurred, with a stream of consciousness that flows on a rugged beat. A disorganized layer of voices spills over into the second part, where the track becomes detached, with a sense of being underwater. In the third movement, the beat is limping & the sound frantic, with a series of electronic glitches that enhance the feeling of absence of familiarity.
Related Post
“Don’t Know I’m Dead Or Not” is LNDFK’s deep dive inwards to discover a more mature and authentic identity & is the first piece from her upcoming album that showcases a dialogue of opposites to weave a cohesive plot for the entire album.
“Don’t Know I’m Dead Or Not” feat. (Chester Watson) is due out on June 18, 2021 on Bastard Jazz.
