Ghanaian-American singer Amaarae’s breakthrough Afropop track Sad Girlz Luv Money became a viral sensation in 2021, thanks to an audacious combination of sweet and innocent feathery vocals with snotty, money-grubbing, lustful lyrics. Her second album Fountain Baby – No 9 in the Guardian’s best albums of 2023 – went further still. With a genreless blend of west Africa’s leftfield alté sound, riot grrrl-esque mall-rock, and seductive dream pop, the album’s ambition and scope was focused through Amaarae’s consistent themes of love, lust, and dancing – themes which now translate magnificently on stage.
As the electric guitarist and drummer of a two-piece live band begin with an instrumental track called “All My Love,” she appears in a striking red latex outfit. The music transitions into “Angels in Tibet,” with Amaarae smoothly rapping over the fast-paced tempo. The guitar’s tremolo effect and the intense crash of cymbals make the intimate venue feel incredibly immersive, and Amaarae confidently brings the house down.
She exudes a rock star vibe and combines sexual appeal with confidence, flawlessly performing energetic versions of songs from her album Fountain Baby. Disguise, Sociopathic Dance Queen, and Princess Going Digital are standout tracks. While the album is strong enough to stand on its own, Amaarae takes risks by experimenting with her music. For example, her song Sex, Violence, Suicide is split into a melancholic acoustic guitar melody and a lively punk-influenced section. Instead of performing the entire song in one go, she plays each half at strategic points during her live performances. She also showcases the smoothness of her voice in a stripped-down version of Reckless & Sweet, accompanied by a single guitar riff.
Fountain Baby’s range of influences is showcased on stage with a tribute to the Japanese culture through two red kanji symbols in the background during her performance of Wasted Eyes. The song incorporates a sample of the traditional Japanese folk song Battaki by Umeko Ando. Amaarae seamlessly incorporates older tracks, including Fancy, Leave Me Alone, and Jumping Ship, which features a playful guest appearance by Kojey Radical. A standout quality of Amaarae is her ability to bring variety to her performances, delivering the same excitement as a bank heist or as indulgent as indulging in luxurious sex on expensive sheets. Regardless of her vibe, she never fails to disappoint.
Source: theguardian.com
