Jain - Zanaka

Zanaka—meaning "childhood" in Malagasy—is the dazzling debut from French singer-songwriter Jain. Drawing from a life spent traveling between France, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the Republic of Congo, Jain has "hand-crafted" a unique sonic diary that captures her experiences from age 16 to 23. This is a high-contrast, multidimensional pop record that defies simple categorization, seamlessly blending Arabic percussion, African rhythms, and hip-hop flares with a polished, electronic pulse.

The album is anchored by the global phenomenon "Makeba," an infectious ode to South African activist Miriam Makeba, and the soulful, rhythmic bounce of "Come." Throughout the record, Jain explores themes of empowerment, hope, and overcoming isolation, moving from the clubby energy of "Heads Up" to the reggae-drenched grooves of "You Can Blame Me" (featuring legendary duo Sly & Robbie). It is a joyous, sun-soaked document of a young artist discovering the power of music to bridge cultures and incite movement.