The cover of Petite Noir’s debut LP, Life Is Beautiful, features South African singer-songwriter Yannick Ilunga hovering literally outside the box—a fitting image for music that defies linear categorization. Ilunga nods to his heritage here and there, mostly through the use of propulsive polyrhythms (some organic, some synthetic), but his layered production and brooding choruses pipe in elements of post-punk, synth-pop and even hip-hop. The more confusing the meld is, the more intriguing the results are. The headscratching title-track carves out a deep groove from a glimmering guitar loop, trunk-rattling percussion and romantic falsetto—then enters a heady new plane with an abrupt rap verse. Ilunga’s emoting threatens to grate on side two, the low point coming with a campy (and hopefully accidental) homage to Grease’s “You’re the One That I Want.” Life Is Beautiful isn’t always a smooth ride, but most of these bold risks pay off brilliantly. “Be the change you want to see,” he sings on “Just Breathe.” For Ilunga, mutation comes easy.