Grammy-winning artist Arooj Aftab has announced her new album, Night Reign, out May 31st via Verve Records. As a preview, she’s shared “Raat Ki Rani,” a new song accompanied by a music video directed by actor Tessa Thompson.
The follow-up to 2021’s critically acclaimed Vulture Prince, Aftab’s next project is a nine-song collection focused on the magic and mystery of the late-night hours and all that can happen after dark. Collaborators include Cautious Clay, Chocolate Genius, and James Francies.
In a statement, Aftab shared, “Some nights are for falling in love, some are for solitude and introspection, some are to be annoyed at a forced social gathering — and so go the stories of Night Reign.”
Related Video
The video marks Thompson’s directorial debut and depicts Aftab in black and white on a film set, before switching to color and cutting away to dreamy footage with a lover. The track itself is anchored by piano and a bit more produced than the organic sound that characterized Vulture Prince; it’s the first instance of her employing Auto-Tune in her music.
Starting in July, Aftab will be taking the project on the road across North America, the UK, and Europe, including a fall run supporting Khurangbin. See the full schedule below, and keep an eye on StubHub for deals for domestic tour stops, and visit viagogo for international dates.
Last year, Aftab’s collaborative album with Vijay Iyer and Shahzad Ismaily, Love in Exile, was included as one of our 50 Best Albums of 2023.
Night Reign Artwork:
 100vw, 1000px”></p>
<p><strong><em>Night Reign</em> Tracklist:</strong><br />01. Aey Nehin<br />02. Na Gul<br />03. Autumn Leaves (feat. James Francies)<br />04. Bolo Na (feat. Moor Mother and Joel Ross)<br />05. Saaqi (featt. Vijay Iyer)<br />06. Last Night (Reprise) (feat. Cautious Clay, Kaki King, and Maeve Gilchrist)<br />07. Raat Ki Rani<br />08. Whiskey<br />09. Zameen (feat. Chocolate Genius, Inc.)</p>
<div class=)
Arooj Aftab 2024-2025 Tour Dates:
06/28 – Antwerp, BE @ Live is Live Festival
06/28-30 – Glastonbury, UK @ Glastonbury Festival
07/13 – Rotterdam, NL @ North Sea Jazz Festival
07/22 – Chicago, IL @ Millennium Park Summer Series
07/23 – Ridgefield, CT @ Ridgefield Playhouse
07/24 – New York, NY @ TBD
07/25 – Saugerties, NY @ Opus 40
08/09 – Helsinki, FI @ Flow Festival
08/13 – Uppsala, SE @ Uppsala Konsert & Kongress
08/15 – Oslo, NO @ Oslo Jazz Festival
08/17 – Biddinghuizen, NL @ Lowlands Festival
08/19 – Zurich, CH @ Zürcher Theater Spektakel 2024
09/19 – Boston, MA @ Paradise
09/23 – Washington, DC @ The Anthem ^
09/24 – Washington, DC @ The Anthem ^
10/02 – St. Louis, MO @ The Factory ^
10/03 – St. Louis, MO @ The Factory ^
10/09 – New Orleans, LA @ Saenger Theatre ^
10/10 – New Orleans, LA @ Saenger Theatre ^
10/12 – Manchester, UK @ Aviva Studios
10/19 – Berlin, DE @ Heimathafen
10/20 – Hamburg, DE @ Mojo Club
10/21 – Heidelberg, DE @ Enjoy Jazz Festival
10/22 – Cologne, DE @ Kulturkirche
10/23 – Lille, FR @ Aeronef
10/25 – Paris, FR @ Trianon
10/26 – Nantes, FR @ Le Lieu Unique
10/28 – Lisbon, PT @ Teatro Tivoli BBVA
10/29 – Barcelona, ES @ Sala Apolo
10/30 – Madrid, ES @ Festival de Jazz de Madrid
11/01 – Bristol, UK @ Beacon Theatre
11/02 – Glasgow, UK @ QMU
11/03 – Leeds, UK @ Project House
11/06 – Brighton, UK @ Mutations Festival
11/07 – London, UK @ Pitchfork Festival
11/08 – Den Bosch, NL @ November Music Festival
11/12 – Copenhagen, DK @ Vega
01/20 – Vancouver, BC @ Hollywood Theatre
01/21 – Seattle, WA @ Washington Hall
01/22 – Portland, OR @ Aladdin Theatre
01/24 – San Francisco, CA @ August Hall
01/25 – Stanford, CA @ Bing Concert Hall at Stanford Live
01/26 – Los Angeles, LA @ Fonda Theatre
^ = w/ Khruangbin
