Nottingham sisters ALT BLK ERA have created “a source of comfort and strength for anyone who feels hurt, lost or alone”.
ALT BLK ERA have dropped the video for new single Come On Outside. It's the third cut from their Rave Immortal debut album, due in January, and it's another winner from the Nottingham-based band led by sisters Nyrobi and Chaya Beckett-Messam. Once again, it uses music to offer a salve to any fans who might need it.
"We want Come On Outside to be a source of comfort and strength for anyone who feels hurt, lost or alone," says Nyrobi. "We want our listeners to feel that they have a sister in us, who is offering them the exact same warmth, love and gentle encouragement that I got from Chaya, when I was at my most vulnerable."
Have a listen:
Speaking about Rave Immortal, the band explain that the album is in part a document of their relationship through tough times, and how it's driven them forward.
"You might not notice on a first listen that this album is about my hidden disability that is a result of chronic illness that took hold during my teens and left me bed-ridden for years," says Nyrobi. "I take the listener through the shadows and share the pain of abandonment I felt, and the solace that I found in my younger sister's unwavering support.
"This part of the album is so painful for me and at the same time it feels beautiful because it shows my sister by my side, every step of the way; through each emotion and every story. I wouldn’t have been brave enough to share this part of me without Chaya and the track Come On Outside is a beautiful reflection of her.
"But we don’t stop there," Nyrobi continues. "The album then captures the defiant energy that grew within us, as I became more able. The songs show us crashing through the imposed barriers and boldly claiming spaces that we were once excluded from. As the songs transition into a dreamscape, they delve into the exploration of relationships; the clash of personalities when fitting into a new friendship group and the dangerous mind of an infatuated person who is scarred by illness and years of isolation.
"The rebellion then builds as we begin to host wild celebrations, fiercely defending our joy after so many years of imposed restriction. The final tracks turn the tide, transforming our pursuit of freedom into an exhilarating hunt, where those who once stifled our spirit are drawn into our eternal dance of liberation, freeing them from all worldly constraints."
"This album starts as a deeply personal story of the physical and emotional pain that my sister went through when she first became ill," adds Chaya. "I was about 12 at that time. It was during the pandemic so it was a time of worry and isolation for me also but as Nyrobi slowly became more able to communicate, we spent every minute that she was awake together. I would sit in her room and contribute to her creations whilst she wrote song after song after song.
"From my more introverted perspective, the calmer songs reflect my nature, so Straight To Heart, Come On Outside and Run Rabbit. However, I’ll ride-or-die for my big sis, so when it’s time to be defiant or to be rebellious, or when it’s time to scream, I’m right there too. This is what the album is about for me - our bond, that also respects who we are as individuals."
Rave Immortal is released on January 24, 2025 via Earache
