Some people were counting on
Tash Sultana to be the world's new guitar hero, but it turns out the artist has different ideas.
Sultana became an overnight celebrity on the strength of a series of homemade videos in which they showed off their estimable six-string skills and mastery of looping pedals, which won them major bookings around the world and a record deal. But
Sultana's debut album, 2018's Flow State, was a work that showed their talents as a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist as much as their shredding skills, and 2021's Terra Firma takes steps even further from guitar gymnastics in favor of generating a groove and a soulful feeling. The R&B influence that was prominent on Flow State is even stronger here, along with hints of fusion, jazz, and subtle hip-hop beats. Terra Firma is mostly rooted in laid-back, gentle grooves (you can slow dance to it, but this isn't exactly a funk-fest), with more room for personal introspection and ruminations on relationships and one's place in the larger world (as well as occasional observations on the unexpected consequences of fame). And while the vast majority of Terra Firma was written, recorded, and performed solely by
Sultana, this time they brought in a few trusted collaborators (songwriter and musician
Matt Corby and producer Dann Humme), and even though it's clear
Tash was in charge, this music has a more organic feel than Flow State, and it suits the very human tone of the material.
Sultana's vocals have gained some range and nuance since their first album, and there's a welcome sense of the artist embracing the joys of pushing the boundaries; the guitar work here is very fine but not flashy, and shares the stage with keyboards and other flavors that give the tracks a rich and varied sound. In short, Terra Firma confirms
Tash Sultana isn't interested in being your new favorite guitarist as much as they want to be a musician and songwriter with the talent and ambition to go in any direction they choose. And if this album could stand a bit of editing to make it more concise, it leaves no doubt they have the talent and vision to be an artist who is going to be around for a while, and it's fascinating to imagine where they can go next. Terra Firma shows where they are now is already pretty impressive. ~ Mark Deming