Arig was born in Sudan after her father and 15-year-old mother fled conflict in Eritrea. They were both determined to find a better life for little Arig, so they applied to come to Australia. Only Arig’s mother was granted a visa, so she bravely left her partner and headed Down Under. When she arrived here, Arig was just two years old. Life wasn’t easy for the pair. Arig’s mother fell into one toxic relationship after another and money was always tight. Music was Arig’s solace then, something that could take her away from the struggles of her life and give her hope for a better future.

Hard experiences like these shape us. If we’re lucky, we can channel them into something beautiful, as Arig has done with her EP Attrition.

Opening track “Mama Said” is an absolute showstopper. It’s dark and brooding, with a killer chorus. When the bar is set so high, it’s exciting but also a little unnerving, because you wonder where the artist will go.

Arig’s vocals on “Leash” are angelic, and it’s got the great groove of a classic slow jam. It’s not all sweetness and light though. The lyrics bite, providing such an enticing juxtaposition.

“Welcome Home” clocks in at just one minute, but this subversive nod to doo-wop is really special.

The complexity of relationships and our desires is explored so eloquently in “77.” “Playlist” strips everything bare, revealing a flawed portrait of the place lost love can often leave us.

After the slick beats that dominate this EP, the closing number, piano ballad “What’s Real,” really stands out. I love the tenderness and vulnerability this song captures. It was unexpected, but in a wonderful way.

Arig’s vocals are undeniable, but the way it interplays with her soundscapes elevates this to another level. Her EP Attrition is so strong, so creative, so soulful, and so interesting. Arig will launch the EP tonight in Brisbane at the Milk Factory. If you’re in the Queensland capital, you don’t want to miss this show.

Image used with permission from Emily Fernandez