Orchestra Gold Unveils Hypnotic New Single ‘Dakan’
Orchestra Gold drops their title track ‘Dakan’ a taste of their upcoming album of the same name. This is the African psych-rock band’s third single from the highly anticipated release, following the infectious ‘Baye Ass N’Diaye’ and ‘Diyanye Ko Te Sa.’
On their new single ‘Dakan,’ Orchestra Gold takes listeners on a ride where tradition and psychedelia collide. At the heart of it is Mariam Diakite, whose vocals glide like a spell, pulling the listener through combination of guitar lines, horn riffs, and grooves that sway in mesmerizing ways.
The word Dakan—Bambara for “destiny”—echoes through every note. Mariam’s lyrics map her life’s multiple roles: mother, musician, storyteller, and dreamer, reminding us that fate is never singular. The song, and the album it heralds, is a celebration of intertwined journeys, shared purpose, and the joyous unpredictability of music that refuses to sit still.
Throughout the album, Mariam’s lyrics are inspired by her deep faith and devotion to the Baye Fall tradition, a mystical branch of West African Islam that favors direct communion with the divine over dogma.
Mariam says of their latest title track single, “‘Dakan’ is a Bambara word from Mali, translating to “destiny” or “fate,” and also implying a shared purpose. This concept inspired the title of our album after I wrote a song by the same name. often, when we speak of purpose or bliss, we tend to simplify it: ‘I must quit my corporate job to become a musician!’ but destiny is multifaceted.”
In her lyrics to “Dakan,” Mariam highlights this complexity: “It was my destiny to come to the U.S. and become a world-renowned singer while still being a mother, braiding hair, and all the other things. all parts of my destiny are intertwined. I cannot take one and leave the others.”
“For us, the new album Dakan is about shared purpose. It’s about music becoming the tie that binds us together. and becomes a focal point for belonging for everyone else.
Orchestra Gold’s new single ‘Dakan’ is out digitally September 18th, and the album drops October 2nd on vinyl (digital release October 16th). Their earlier singles are available on all streaming platforms.
Headline photo: Ginger Fierstein
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