At the age of 26, Dehaney Nia Lishahn Hunt, has climbed to steady success within her niche. Better known by stage moniker, Nia Archives, she entered the dance scene back in 2020 and has shaken up festivals nationwide since. Her work aims to celebrate her own Jamaican heritage, along with the clash of sounds from a childhood spent in Leeds. Bass label UKF asked “Who the hell is Nia Archives?” in an interview around the launch of her career. These days, there’s an undeniably positive answer.
Her latest single, ‘Danger’, is a gorgeous kaleidoscope for the ears. Lyrically, Archives writes with a steamy lens, warning a lover that she’ll “keep coming right back round”. This works in a refreshingly bold manner. It’s taunting in such a short track duration, which can only be carried further by Archives’ own hypnotising vocals. The opening verse is practically spat out, slightly confessional. Her voice then bends around that frantic beat in the higher register, dropping it down for lower breakdown sections.
However, it’s impossible to delve into the world of dance and jungle music, without looking at the all-important rhythms. There’s no risk here of a tough crowd, as the track builds with a level of anticipation. That self-made production is clean and compelling to an undeniable degree. Choruses explode into static bursts, all drum machines and swaying electronics. Having the song pull in to just over two minutes does spark listeners to want more but allows the track to snap away in an abrupt climax.
From this alone, Archives promises to branch her discography out to new heights. After a remix with PinkPantheress and collab with artist Clipz, this is her first solo track since 2024 and hopefully the start of new projects. This Summer’s festival seasons would be sure to suffer without her.
Sofia Neal
Image: ‘Danger’ Official Single Cover
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