Anjimile - Giver Taker

The Guardian 80

(Father/Daughter)
There are strong echoes of Sufjan Stevens, but this US singer-songwriter’s musings on self-discovery are very much their own

Imitation might be the sincerest form of flattery, but ordinarily, artists who draw too hard from one source let down their own muse, and short-change the listener too. Not so Boston-based, Texas-raised Anjimile, whose debut album introduces a fully formed, confident voice – one that sounds slightly familiar.

Non-binary, trans and of Malawian heritage, this intense indie singer-songwriter identifies foremost as a Sufjan Stevens fan. Their hypnotic orchestral folk songs “come howling after” an unfathomable god. Like Stevens, Anjimile’s vocals can whisper, swoop and trill lines like “It’s a miracle to behold, it’s a miracle to be held in your arms”.

Giver Taker is released on 18 September

Pitchfork 75

Though written during the throes of identity crisis and recovery, the official debut from Boston-based indie-folk artist Anjimile Chithambo radiates the happiness and pride that come with stability.