W
When Amaarae, a Ghanaian-American musician, gained recognition outside of west Africa’s alté scene in 2020, she expressed to Pitchfork her desire to become the ultimate African princess of pop. However, as she prepares to release her second album, Fountain Baby, this year, she has set her sights even higher, declaring it to be a pop album above all genres, rejecting the label of just an “Afrobeats” project. Amaarae defies societal expectations and confidently pursues her goals, producing catchy and addictive hits with her unique slang. These qualities truly define the 29-year-old pop sensation, placing her in the same league as artists like Björk and Rosalía with her fierce ambition and ability to bring it to life.
As promised, Fountain Baby is a vibrant and lively album that transcends borders, influenced by Amaarae’s upbringing in both Accra and Atlanta. It incorporates elements of Afrobeats, with its sleek percussion, as well as the joyful freedom of alté. However, there are also traces of southern US trap’s cascading vocal delivery and Janet Jackson-inspired trills. Amaarae boldly explores a variety of genres including punk, R&B, flamenco, melodic rap, g-funk, and soft rock, all while showcasing her sweet vocals. The album is indulgent and enigmatic, with a rich and ever-changing sound.
The most obvious comparison can be made between Timbaland and the Neptunes’ work in the early 2000s, as Amaarae and her co-producers infuse various global pop styles with a luxurious shine, giving them a polished and opulent appearance. In the song Big Steppa, plush guitar, smooth strings, and vibrant bursts of high life-inspired brass come together, while the Neptunes’ influence can be heard in the playful nursery rhyme-like track Counterfeit. The song Wasted Eyes, which features gunshots in its percussion, showcases Amaarae’s maximalist style and also includes contributions from a kora player and Japanese vocalist Crystal Kay, who reimagined a traditional Japanese folk song by Umeko Ando to fit Amaarae’s theme of longing for someone she knows is not good for her.
The desire in Fountain Baby takes on various forms. On the chaotic Co-Star, zodiac signs are used to negotiate sexual encounters (“Myself and her, it felt like threesomes / Must be Gemini”), while in other instances, materialistic desires for diamonds and Dior are listed. The album’s title refers to women’s genitalia and the lyrics are unapologetically erotic, with themes of arousal, forbidden touches, and wanting to engage in wild sexual activities. Amaarae confidently asserts her power, wealth, and sexuality throughout the record. At times, pleasure is simply pleasure: “I enjoy having my coffee with a little head in the morning,” she reveals with a knowing touch on the luxurious track “Disguise,” with a chorus so full of longing it could easily be mistaken for a Bollywood love song. However, she is also acutely aware of the way these desires intersect and how others may try to use her for their own pleasure. “It’s because I have so much money / The thought of me spending it gives you goose bumps,” she sings in a weary, whispery falsetto on the dreamy “Reckless & Sweet.”
Despite the numerous obstacles, Amaarae continues to relentlessly chase satisfaction. On her track “Come Home to God,” she positions herself as a higher power, stating “Shawty say she love me like she love the Lord / When I’m in that pussy, I’m above the law.” The themes of sex, violence, and suicide culminate in a soft, Auto-Tuned ballad reflecting on a failing relationship (“What’s wrong with us? / Is that I love you?”), then transitions into a fierce, punk-inspired anthem with the help of UK rock trio Dream Wife. In the latter half of the song, Amaarae’s ego takes center stage as she confidently declares “Don’t care ’bout what I’m asking you / Just fucking tell me ‘Yes’ / Tell me I’m the one / Tell me I’m the best.” Her ego remains untamed throughout the track, but the abundance of creative energy on Fountain Baby is a generous gift to listeners, inviting them to join Amaarae on her fearless pursuit of pleasure.
Source: theguardian.com
