Riit - Ataataga (2019)

There is no TLD tag for the Inuktitut language of the
indigenous Canadians.
---
From the land that never melts comes a sound that radiates
life, youth and promise. Riit, from majestic Panniqtuq,
Nunavut, is a new artist making space for herself in the
electropop world with Inuktitut lyrics and deep rhythmic
vocals layered over gemological synth cuts and sticky,
staticky electronic textures. Riit's music emerges from
very distinct circumstances of place, language and
experience.

Throughout her debut full-length album, produced by Graham
Walsh (Holy Fuck) and recorded in Iqaluit, Nunavut and
Toronto, Riit sings about the clarity of forgiveness, the
imprint of the past on the present, and personal
disconnection. In Inuktitut, Riit’s songs explore family,
life and love. Riit also nods to Nunavut's rich yet
underappreciated legacy of songwriters, with covers of
Inuititut classics included on the record.

The monoamine-fueled flush of "Qaumajuapik," the first
song shared from her forthcoming debut full-length album,
expresses how intense attraction messes with your sense of
time, where a single blink contains a universe. Heart
races, clock stops. Produced by Graham Walsh (Holy Fuck),
the song sweeps in on a buzzy gust before the Tangerine
Dream-esque modulations kick in. Teardrop bleeps fall over
Riit's clear voice like a sunshower (the song title means
‘you are shining').

On the strength of a 3-song EP released in 2017 by Aakuluk
Music, Nunavut's first record label, Riit was nominated
for Best Radio Single (Indigenous Music Awards) and
Indigenous Artist of the Year (Western Canadian Music
Awards). The host of a groundbreaking Inuttitut-language
children's show, Anaana's Tent, and soon-to-be recipient
of an Emerging Talent Award of Excellence for her
broadcast work, Riit is one of the faces of a Nunavut
youth movement, a group of remarkable, driven and
increasingly high-profile individuals who are creating
mainstream waves through art. For an artist who has
performed only a handful of shows, a performance in London
for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (Harry & Meghan) and a
sold out show in Paris are highlights of a young career.

Now signed to Six Shooter Records, Riit will release her
debut full-length album in 2019.