Embrace

by Heather PharesDeva Premal's Embrace expands on the Eastern Indian fusion and ethereal vocals of her previous work, combining timeless mantras with contemporary arrangements. Musically, Embrace ranges from "Om Namo Bhagavate"'s light synthesizer textures to "Hari Om Shiva Om"'s call-and-response structure and lush, intricate percussion, with "Shante Prashante"'s lively electronic rhythms falling somewhere in between. Other highlights include the charming "Rang De" and the hypnotic finale "Teyata." While these extended musical meditations might be repetitive, they're far from boring -- Premal's crystalline vocals and the beauty of the mantras themselves make Embrace a gently uplifting listening experience.