With a knack for storytelling in her versatile drum’n’bass, Natalia Sheppard (aka MC Tali), is back as Tali with her ninth studio album ‘Empress Era’. Known for an ability to seamlessly blend freestyle lyricism with soulful, intelligent vocals and unique production, ‘Empress Era’ follows suit, encompassing the artist’s vast and unique talents.

In the early stages of her impressively lengthy career Tali was signed to Roni Size’s Full Cycle label, and worked with the likes of DnB legends Roni Size and Andy C. These days resident back in Aotearoa, but still active internationally, contributors on ‘Empress Era’ include Nathan Haines, Jordyn with a Why, Isdale, Canadian artist/producer Polaris, and veteran English rapper Stamina MC.

The seven-track album is Tali’s most evocative and expansive body of work to date, mixing her soulful style of drum’n’bass with brass and other instruments to create an electrifying musical oasis. ‘Empress Era’ was largely written and produced by Tali, with mixing done by Tiki Taane. Life On The Line features Cam Sangster on drums with guitar and bass by Orlando Cooper, who also produced and mixed the track, which exhorts listeners to live more ‘authentically free’.

The title track is all about Tali’s experience exploring a new period of womanhood, which she describes as a “love letter” to herself and many women in a similar situation. Several of the tracks include a mix between rap, brass, and DnB, all adding to the incredible atmosphere within ‘Empress Era’. Young Daylight, in a sense, takes you to cloud 9, serving as a reminder to “…love your young daylight.” The track features vocals from Jordyn with a Why and flute by Geo Seato.

Throughout the album Tali explores empowerment and change in a world that is chaotic and full of potential. Each track demonstrates that reality via the combination of instruments, whilst also bringing warmth and tranquility amidst the DnB and neo-soul. This is Tali exercising her seasoned career, reminding us of the power of experience and identity to help one be reborn in ‘Empress Era’.