2 days ago
Amaarae Ascends on Boundless 'BLACK STAR'
Summary
Amaarae's star has been one to watch for a while now, initially inviting an influx of eyes with breakout single 'Fluid' in 2017. Almost ten years later, the Ghanaian-American's artistry is still guided by her fluidity – in genre, gender, style, and sonic composition – possibly more now than ever before, shining through her third studio album,BLACK STAR.
Across the enamouring 13-track album, Amaarae takes the sounds of her Ghanaian upbringing global, amalgamating amapiano and Afrobeats, among other local subgenres – ghettotech, house, techno, and baile funk included. Her internet era come-up is also strung throughout the album, hypnotic synths and dreamy dance breaks hitting right when needed.
In Amaarae's own words, the diaspora-transcending LP is an ode to the alternative youth of Ghana. 'This era is about vindication—for myself and my community,' she asserts.
As for the project's contributors,PinkPantheresshops on highlight 'Kiss Me Thru The Phone pt. 2,' withNaomi Campbellon 'ms60,' bothBree Runwayand Starkillers on 'Starkilla,'Zacarion '100DRUM,' andCharlie Wilsonon 'Dream Scenario.'
1. Stuck Up2. Starkilla ft. Bree Runway & Starkillers3. ms60 ft. Naomi Campbell4. Kiss Me Thru The Phone pt. 2 ft. PinkPantheress5. B2B6. She Is My Drug7. Girlie-Pop!8. S.M.O.9. Fineshyt10. Dove Cameron11. Dream Scenario ft. Charlie Wilson12. 100DRUM ft. Zacari13. Free The Youth
Infused with the influence of her elders,BLACK STARblurs a myriad of local sounds and revamps them for the internet age – turning up the reverb, leaning into AutoTune, somehow maintaining a finger on the pulse to anticipate just what unexpected sonic union we don't even know we're seeking out. If the future of Afropop is in Amaarae's hands, we're doingmorethan just fine.
StreamBLACK STAR– out everywhere now.
