In a bold artistic evolution that has caught the attention of the electronic music scene, Hyperdub veteran Ikonika has delivered her most personal and compelling work to date with her new album SAD. Released on November 28, 2024, this collection represents a significant departure from her earlier instrumental work, embracing a vocal-led approach that showcases her growth as both producer and performer.
A Confident Shift Toward Vocal Expression
Where previous albums like Contact, Love, Want, Have positioned vocals as occasional elements within her electronic landscapes, SAD places them firmly at the forefront. Ikonika, real name Sara Abdel-Hamid, doesn't just feature guest vocalists - she steps into the spotlight herself, singing on multiple tracks with a newfound confidence that surprises and delights in equal measure.
The album's opening track Still immediately establishes this new direction, featuring Ikonika's own processed vocals floating above crystalline synth patterns. This isn't tentative experimentation but rather a fully-realised artistic statement from an artist who has found her voice in the most literal sense. Throughout the album's ten tracks, her vocal delivery ranges from ethereal and distant to surprisingly direct and emotionally raw.
Collaborative Excellence and Production Mastery
While Ikonika's own vocals take centre stage, she hasn't abandoned collaboration entirely. The album features several standout contributions that complement her new direction perfectly. Canadian producer and vocalist Cecile Believe delivers a stunning performance on Sustain, their voice weaving through Ikonika's intricate production with breathtaking precision.
\nMeanwhile, Los Angeles-based artist KARE brings their distinctive style to I Can Make You Feel, creating one of the album's most immediate and accessible moments. What's remarkable is how these collaborations feel integrated into Ikonika's new vision rather than standing apart from it - each guest performance enhances rather than distracts from the album's cohesive emotional landscape.
The production throughout SAD demonstrates Ikonika's continued mastery of electronic soundscapes. From the weightless textures of Fade Out to the more grounded, almost poppy structures of tracks like Sustain, she proves that embracing vocal-led composition doesn't require sacrificing production sophistication. If anything, the vocal focus has pushed her to create more nuanced and detailed backing tracks that support rather than overwhelm the human voice.
Emotional Depth and Artistic Evolution
The album title SAD might suggest a collection of melancholy reflections, but the emotional reality is more complex and rewarding. There's certainly introspection here, particularly on the haunting Still and the beautifully sparse Fade Out, but the overall impression is of an artist working through complex feelings rather than being overwhelmed by them.
This emotional complexity marks Ikonika's most mature work to date. Having been with Hyperdub since her 2008 debut, she has navigated multiple phases of electronic music's evolution while maintaining her distinctive voice. With SAD, she hasn't abandoned her roots in dubstep and UK bass music so much as transcended them, creating something that feels both contemporary and timeless.
The album's sequencing shows careful consideration, moving between more experimental vocal processing and straightforward melodic passages in a way that maintains engagement across its runtime. Tracks like Still and Fade Out bookend the project with atmospheric beauty, while the collaborations provide dynamic peaks that prevent the album from becoming too insular.
What makes SAD particularly impressive is how completely Ikonika has committed to this new direction. This isn't a tentative experiment with one or two vocal tracks - it's a full-blooded reinvention that demonstrates her versatility and fearlessness as an artist. The confidence required to place her own voice at the centre of her work after years of being known primarily as an instrumental producer speaks volumes about her artistic growth.
For fans of Hyperdub's forward-thinking approach to electronic music, SAD represents another triumph. The label has consistently supported artists evolving beyond their initial sounds, and Ikonika's transformation into a confident vocalist and songwriter continues this tradition beautifully. The album stands as proof that after nearly two decades in the industry, she remains one of UK electronic music's most vital and unpredictable voices.
