13th May 2025
Christopher Nosnibor
Papillon de Nuit, the ever-evolving, ever-shifting musical collective centred around the multi-talented composer, arranger, lyricist – not to mention promoter and musical / creative all-rounder – Stephen Kennedy, presents a sixth single in just a few short months, a run which began in December last year. And, true to form, ‘Ma’at’ is very different from each of the previous offerings.
Once again featuring the grand piano work of Karen Amanda O’Brien and Michalina Rudawska on cello, along with the return of Megan Richardson providing vocals alongside Kennedy’s, ‘Ma’at’ follows its predecessor, ‘Adriane’, as a song built around strong, dominant percussion and brooding strings. Where it departs is that what emerges from the bold, dramatic intro is a pretty straight-up dark pop song that’s not a million miles removed from later March Violets. It’s graceful, melodic – and I’ll even add catchy, comfortably withstanding repeat plays – and naturally, it’s laced with a delicate hue of wistfulness and melancholy.
AA
Aural Aggravation 