Дeva (Deva)

About

" Ethereal, electronic Hungarian folk "

Mystic, Hungarian folklore and polyphonic, ambient sounds merged together in a spiritual, humanistic melee. If that sounds like a mouthful, then try singing along to Дeva (Deva)’s Hungarian hymn-like songs. Дeva is the solo project of Budapest singer and producer Dorina Takács. Using traditional Hungarian instruments and modern electronic productions, she’s managed to bridge a world between the contemporary and the classical. Her debut album ‘Csillag’ for instance (for which she designed the cover), sounds like a pagan-rave, where her vocals — inspired by traditional Hungarian folk songs — are underscored with soft pads, and tribal, electronic rhythms.

Winner of the Music Moves Europe Award in 2022, and the Best Female Singer prize by Radio Petőfi, Дeva’s songs have resonated with fans at home and abroad. Her production style is similar to that of Pantha du Prince, and Ólafur Arnalds, yet it’s her poetic and soothing vocal style that stands out. It’s like something out of the Ari Aster movie ‘Midsommar’, had there been a rave scene at the end. 

The record seemingly fits into the folktronica movement thanks to her moving and powerful vocal work. Strip away the electronics however, and you have a delicate style of music centred around harmony, layered with plucked harps and soft flutes. This is the type of music that keeps traditions alive and opens it to new audiences, whether you can sing along to it or not.