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In 2021, the song “Sad Girlz Luv Money” by American-Ghanaian singer Amaarae became a viral hit in the Afropop genre. Combining angelic vocals with bold and provocative lyrics about money and desire, the song captured the attention of many listeners. Amaarae’s second album, “Fountain Baby,” was ranked No. 9 on The Guardian’s list of best albums in 2023. The album showcased a unique combination of west Africa’s alternative alté style, mall-rock influences, and dreamy pop sounds. Amaarae’s message of love, lust, and dancing remained consistent throughout the album, and this translates exceptionally well on stage.
As the electric guitarist and drummer begin with an instrumental version of “All My Love”, Amaarae enters in a stunning red latex outfit for her performance. They then transition into “Angels in Tibet”, with Amaarae smoothly rapping over the fast-paced beat. The guitar’s tremolo effect and intense cymbal crashes create an immersive atmosphere in the small venue, making it feel intoxicating. Amaarae’s performance brings the house down, as expected.
With her captivating stage presence, she blends allure and confidence as she flawlessly delivers lively performances of Fountain Baby tracks Disguise, Sociopathic Dance Queen, and Princess Going Digital. The album is so powerful that a concert could easily rely on straightforward renditions, but Amaarae takes risks – for example, her song Sex, Violence, Suicide is split between a heartfelt acoustic guitar melody and an edgy up-tempo finish. Rather than playing the entire song, she chooses to perform these two parts separately at appropriate moments during the show. Taking a seat for a rendition of Reckless & Sweet accompanied by a simple guitar riff, Amaarae slows down to showcase the smooth beauty of her vocals.
Fountain Baby’s performance of Wasted Eyes, which includes a sample of Umeko Ando’s Japanese folk song Battaki, is enhanced by the presence of two red kanji symbols flashing in the background. Amaarae also seamlessly incorporates her older tracks Fancy, Leave Me Alone, and Jumping Ship, featuring Kojey Radical. Her strength lies in her ability to captivate with a range of styles, from the adrenaline of a bank heist to the lavishness of intimacy on expensive sheets. Whatever the vibe, she delivers with expertise.
Source: theguardian.com
