Naarm/Melbourne-based Noongar artist Bumpy is back with her breathtaking new single “Maambakoort,” her first new music since the release of her debut EP Morning Sun in 2023. This neo-soul single an exercise in restraint and the perfect vehicle for showcasing her spine-tingling voice.
“’Maambakoort’ means ocean,” Bumpy explained. “This song narrates the way I felt when I entered the saltwater on my country. It felt powerful. It felt dramatic. The wind swirled around me and the light broke through the clouds. It felt like it recognised me. The water connects me to my Ancestors who also swam in those oceans, connecting me to my past, present and future generations.
“I wanted it to be grand like that encounter and the instrumentation to sound like the rumbling and crashing ocean. This track features the choir and specifically my siblings Emmy, Ben and Dan singing language in the climax of the song. It really highlighted the impact of language learning and that with every new word I learn and pass on, affects all the people around me.”
“Maambakoort” comes with this gorgeous music video directed by Emily Dynes. I don’t normally talk fashion on this blog, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that it features stunning outfits from ethical plant-based Afro-Futurist artisan clothing label REMUSE.
Photo credit: Em Dynes