Out now, “Black Jungle (Dub Cavern Mix)” is a new dub rework from Mikey Shaw of the latest single from Iranian-born Brighton-based vocalist, songwriter, and storyteller AVIJÉ (ah- vee- jair). The track is the first music taken from AVIJÉ’s upcoming project ‘A New Beginning’, funded by Arts Council England and the original track received considerable support and airplay from BBC Introducing West Midlands and across BBC Radio Shropshire, who named it their Song of the Month. The project examines the subject of Freedom and what it means to be free; spiritually, creatively, and politically.

The roots of “Black Jungle” lie in the prison-like feeling of an incompatible, mentally abusive relationship. This exploration of toxic love and finding the confidence to break free found new meaning for AVIJÉ during the spark of the 2023 Iran Revolution. “The story of “Black Jungle” is to portray the feeling of being stuck in an entanglement,” she adds, “whether that’s your toxic relationship or an outdated oppressive government.”

‘A New Beginning’ is driven by the ethos that every moment of our life, good or bad, influences our future, but that we must harness these moments and lessons to move forward and start afresh. Instrumentally, the project tells the story of AVIJÉ’s mixed heritage, the inner conflicts she’s gone through surrounding her identity and the power of unifying sounds from worlds apart in the name of a common cause.