The second album from French-Cuban twins Naomi and Lisa-Kaindé Diaz updates the themes and techniques of their modern-ancient music, which refracts African-Cuban roots through a 21st-century digital prism. Deathless, a gripping account of Lisa’s wrongful, racially-motivated arrest at 16, features a sax line from Kamasi Washington and – controversially – Auto-Tune. Inspired in part by Beyoncé (Ibeyi figured in Lemonade’s visuals) and in part by present politics, Ash’s girl-positive content is high (No Man Is Big Enough for My Arms, Valé) and its wider messages outward-looking (Away Away). But for all the just-so production, sirens and guests, the Diazes haven’t entirely sacrificed the Yoruba spirituality and batá drumming that made their debut so distinctive.
