Nina Kohout

About

" Slovak folk meets modern-day trip-hop "

“Making art is risky. You never know where you stand.” Nina Kohout told interviewers earlier in her career. For this reason, it took her some time to make her mind up to head to Brit School, a performance focused type of education that sees her follow in the footsteps of famous musical alumni that range from Adele to Black Midi, FKA Twigs to Jessie J.

Initially, Kohout focused heavily on production, but in that environment, perhaps a certain element of performance is inevitable. Having chosen to switch over to a role as a solo artist, the London schooling hasn’t done a thing to damage the influence of her Slovak heritage. Kohout’s music has the most delicate of trip-hop elements, as well as an almost Parisian romantic melody, but also explores the ancient realms of Slovak folklore.

That particular approach, naturally, has ensured Kohout hasn’t been forgotten at home. In 2020, she won the Radio_Head Newcomer Of The Year award, curated by Slovak Radio, for debut single ‘Blue Sunray’, a delicate, vocally heavy soulful piece with a fuzzy interior and the feel of a 60s summer lovesong.

EP ‘Pandemonium’ followed, and saw Nina play shows across Europe, as well as at the famously career-making Brighton Festival ‘The Great Escape’. The EP features Slovak language track ‘Prebúdzanka’, a bouncy but subtle melody, but is mainly sung in English, part of a simple four-track set up that’s hugely atmospheric and impactful.

The EP’s high, perhaps, is the single ‘Moonlight’, the most low-key dance inspired of Kohout’s tracks, and arguably the most original.  Its minimalist, mellow, and enthralling, a slow-paced foggy track that’s drenched in originality, much like Kohout’s increasingly esoteric and atmospheric overall feel. A uniqueness born in unlikely genre fusion.