corto.alto – APRIL (feat. anaiis)

Glasgow multi-instrumentalist Liam Shortall, known as corto.alto, teams up with London-based French-Senegalese singer anaiis on “APRIL”. The two met at a Theo Croker show at the Barbican, where both were invited to perform. They hit it off and started swapping ideas over email before meeting in London to write the track together.

corto.alto first heard anaiis on a remix he was working on and wanted to collaborate immediately. “APRIL” came together in one evening, built around themes both artists connect with: grief, healing, and resilience. The title references an anecdote Shortall shared about life in Scotland that resonated with anaiis.

The production carries a softness without losing clarity. No note gets wasted, and the jazz-influenced elasticity gives both artists room to work independently while staying locked together. anaiis describes the song as a place for processing difficult moments and finding hope, which aligns with her usual focus on Black identity, self-worth, and motherhood in her writing.

corto.alto comes from a background steeped in big band, blues, and ska, starting on trombone and learning jazz fundamentals. His recent work shows an increasing range. anaiis is fresh off her solo album “Devotion & the Black Divine” and a Brazil-influenced collaborative mini-album from 2024. Both artists are on strong runs right now, making this collaboration feel well-timed.

Released via Ninja Tune, “APRIL” balances vulnerability with restraint. It’s the kind of track that rewards close listening without demanding it.