Waku: Minaral a Minalay

Waku: Minaral a Minalay
Studio album by
Released2 August 2024
VenueCairns, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Torres Strait Islands, Solomon Islands
Length51:57
LabelABC
ProducerDavid Bridie
Christine Anu chronology
ReStylin' Up 20 Years
(2015)
Waku: Minaral a Minalay
(2024)
Singles from Waku: Minaral a Minalay
  1. "Waku: Minaral a Minalay"
    Released: 24 May 2024[1]

Waku: Minaral a Minalay is the eighth studio album by Torres Strait Islander-born, Australian singer Christine Anu. The album was recorded in several places including Cairns, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Torres Strait Islands and the Solomon Islands and was originally scheduled for release on 19 July 2024 before being pushed back to 2 August 2024.[1][2]

Via a press release, Anu said the "waku" means "the mat". Anu said "You do everything in your life on that mat, and when you die, you're covered by it – like a blanket." Anu continued saying, "This album is about reconnecting with my grandfather as a young father back in post-World War II, in the Torres Strait region. I sing about a time from long ago... Waku: Minaral a Minalay creates a landscape, a picture, a soundscape of feeling like you were there listening to these songs when they were being made."[3] The album includes songs written by Anu, her grandfather (Nadi) and her daughter (Zipporah).[4]

The album's title track was nominated for Song of the Year at the National Indigenous Music Awards 2024.[5]

On 27 July 2024, Anu released a mini-documentary of the sane name support the album.[6]

Anu will further promote the album with performances at Mt Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships Rock Concert on 8 August 2024, Cairns Festival on 23 August 2024, and North Australian Festival of Arts on 13 October 2024.[7]

  1. ^ a b "Christine Anu - Waku - Minaral A Minalay". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  2. ^ "Waku Minaral A Minalay". Am Rap. May 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  3. ^ "Christine Anu Shares Details Of First Original Album In 20 Years". The Music. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  4. ^ "Christine Anu weaves her story in music and countertenor Iestyn Davies makes his Australian debut". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2 August 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  5. ^ Mary Varvaris (19 July 2024). "The Kid LAROI & Barkaa Lead National Indigenous Music Awards Nominations". The Music. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Waku - 'Minaral A Minalay' A Journey - Mini Documentary". YouTube. 27 July 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference AM was invoked but never defined (see the help page).