Single/Video Review: The Future of the Species

Henika is the moniker of Slovak born multi-instrumentalist Henrieta Tornyai. Her self-titled EP won Best Independent Debut at the Taite Music Awards in 2017.

Her new single Future Of The Species was made using samples of native birdsong. The accompanying video stars a Kokako, Kakapo, Tieke, Kiwi and Tui in the form of dance troupe Street Candee wearing papier-mache headpieces crafted by Henika herself.

The song uses the idea of mating rituals of the avian world to turn interpersonal gender tropes in the human world on their head and explore power dynamics from that vantage point. The lyrics “Please understand this ain’t personal, I just need your genetic material” are rapped over samples of predator free birds and a lead instrument (Theremin) that is played without being touched.

Pending lockdown level status, Henika will be celebrating the release of Future of the Species at the Wine Cellar, with support from Vox Venus and Little Weird, with tickets available from Under The Radar.