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Kanana is the debut album from Naarm/Melbourne soul artist Bumpy, a proud Noongar woman and Triple R broadcaster who presents Pebbles every Sunday with sister Emmy. The title translates from Noongar as "Land Where the Sunsets", a poetic echo of the Morning Sun EP (2023). Songs developed from her First Nations Artist Residency with Melbourne International Jazz Festival and Australian Art Orchestra, material that would form the acclaimed show Tooni.

Recorded with producer Nick Herrera (Hiatus Kaiyote, Emma Donovan & The Putbacks), Kanana took shape as Bumpy returned to Noongar Boodja with her mother to reconnect with Country. She traced the footsteps of her Elders, including her late Nan Rose Whitehurst, who wrote the first Noongar dictionary. That family legacy runs through the record. Siblings, Emmy Yarram, Ben Yarram and Daniel Dowd provide vocals, while Ben alsoo-wrote a number of tracks, anchoring the rhythms and instrumentation. Bumpy's mother remained connected to the entire process.

The album opens with 'River Skies', a dreamtime story acknowledging Wurundjeri Country where Bumpy has lived for ten years, before moving through songs like 'Kanana', 'Maambakoort' (ocean in Noongar) and 'Untangling' that chart connections to land, waters and skies. Focus track 'Nan's The Word' arrives at the midpoint - a funk-driven tribute to Bumpy's matriarchs built on crisp drums, sparkling Rhodes and horn arrangements. It's elevated by the 14-piece 'Bumpy Choir' that includes Emma Donovan, her siblings and community members. "This is for all our Blak Women who are breaking down the barriers," Bumpy says. "Nan is the gospel."

Kanana is an album that celebrates community and connection. It also offers reminders to stay present and grounded ('Feel Good', 'Cosy Comfy') and weaves in mantra and advice from her Nan throughout.

For the chance to win a vinyl copy of this week's Album Of The Week, Triple R subscribers can enter here before Sunday 12th October 2025. We have a prize policy of 1 album per subscriber per month so we can share the love and make it fair for all!