Amaarae’s New Album: A daring Journey Through Love and excess
Fountain Runt One, the second album by Amaarae, has made waves as a revolutionary piece in 2023. This Ghanaian-American pop sensation, now 31 years old, stands shoulder to shoulder with modern luminaries such as Rosalía and Charli XCX. The album is a colorful tapestry of sensuality, wit, and honesty intricately woven into its musical fabric.While many tracks revel in hedonism—oscillating between clever displays of affluence and introspections on her romantic liaisons—Amaarae remains firmly rooted in reality. In songs like “Reckless & Candy,” she questions weather her partners are truly invested in her or simply drawn to her financial success.
Despite the groundbreaking essence of her music, Amaarae has encountered hurdles when trying to penetrate mainstream markets; particularly evident in the UK where attendance at recent events like Glastonbury was underwhelming; aside from “Sad Girlz Luv Money,” which gained popularity on TikTok back in late2020,few singles have managed to achieve notable crossover success.
A Transition Towards Party with Dark Star
Nevertheless, there is optimism that this trend may change with the launch of “Dark Star,” her eagerly awaited third studio project that embodies a more festive spirit compared to its predecessor.
This new endeavor invites listeners to recalibrate their expectations; rather of venturing into avant-garde realms as one might anticipate following such an audacious debut as “Fountain Runt one,” it becomes apparent that Amaarae simply seeks to bask in joy through music.
“Dark Star” emerges as a club-oriented record infused with house music elements, trance beats, EDM influences seamlessly intertwined with Afrobeats rhythms alongside sharp rap verses.
While it may be more approachable than earlier works—this does not diminish its enjoyment factor which largely stems from Amaarae’s relentless pursuit of pleasure; these tracks unabashedly celebrate drinking culture, drug use, uninhibited sexuality while embracing fashion—all delivered so boldly they could make even the Weeknd,known for his provocative themes blush.
Diverse Dance Influences Throughout the Tracks
You can easily picture Amaarae’s bass-heavy yet smooth sound accompanying an underground nightclub scene—a fitting backdrop for an artist who prioritizes luxury within her craft.
The collaboration “Starkilla” featuring London rapper Bree Runway delivers dark house vibes centered around repetitive phrases about “ketamine,” “coke,” and “molly.” Meanwhile,“B2B” fuses pulsating electro beats with euphoric South African amapiano sounds.
This album delves into various dance genres including high-energy dembow rhythms found on “girlie-Pop!” along with Detroit techno influences present on track “SMO.” The opening number titled “Caught Up” showcases raucous club rap elements highlighting how diverse yet cohesive this collection truly is.
Lyrical Themes Reflect Growth Yet Retain Edge
The thematic focus within amaaraa’s lyrics remains consistent despite “Dark Star” presenting softer tones compared to earlier works.
In“Kiss Me Thru the Phone Pt II,” featuring PinkPantheress—a follow-up homage to Soulja boy’s classic—the two artists sweetly express longing through their ethereal harmonies creating an enchanting blend together.
the standout single here titled“FineshyT”—an airy trance track encapsulating feelings associated with love lost—sees our protagonist yearning for genuine connection amidst fleeting romances showcased throughout previous releases where bravado reigned supreme alongside guest appearances including Naomi Campbell flaunting confidence while boasting about life experiences both glamorous yet controversial.
cameo appearances by Campbell raise eyebrows when she declares herself unapologetically fierce stating:“They call me a bitch,a villain,a controversial diva – no,I am simply the dark star.” This line could spark discussions surrounding past controversies tied directly back towards Campbell ranging anywhere from assault allegations down through charity mismanagement claims—which she vehemently denies—but fits perfectly within this narrative exploring wealth,power dynamics,and celebrity culture intertwined throughout each song crafted by amaarA herself! For our artist here glamour serves merely as side quest whereas true fulfillment lies deeper rooted connections forged beyond materialistic pursuits!
This week Shaad Listened To:
- Wild Pink & Fenne Lily – Collapse – edit : Wild Pink frontman John Ross stands out among indie lyricists today! his deluxe reissue Dulling The Horns promises fresh interpretations including this soothing rendition by English folk singer fenne Lily!