Witch Prophet. Words Are Spells, Thoughts Are Magic.

When songwriter Etmet Musa, who performs as Witch Prophet, was recovering from brain tumour surgery in 2023, one word kept coming to her mind: Temesgen, the Amharic word for “Thank God.” It became an invocation of strength during a turbulent time in her life. The word is the soul and essence of her fourth album, Words Are Spells, Thoughts Are Magic, which explores healing, transformation, and the power of spirituality. Trilingual lyrics (English, Amharic, and Tigrinya) flow through a fusion of lustrous jazz, hip-hop, R&B, and East African sonic influences. The Toronto-based artist has always worn her emotions on her sleeve, but the ten tracks here impact the listener on a deeper level, presenting sombre yet hopeful reflections on her health journey. From the opening fluttery flutes and warm horns of “Words Are Spells” to the existential moodiness of “Breathe” and the jovial candid Amharic chants sung by her four aunts on “Akisté,” the album is bewitching from start to finish. It includes tracks produced with SUN SUN and contributions from guitarist Izzy Collins and trumpeters Feven Kidane and Tara Kannangara. Witch Prophet makes it clear that healing cannot progress without wading through darkness, but the joy and self-actualization that come from it are felt in every corner of Words Are Spells; casting spells and manifestations of hope is only the starting point of her metamorphosis.