Warpaint Wows On Third Album

Warpaint

Anyone who knows me knows that Los Angeles' Warpaint is one of my favorite bands to come out of this decade.  I have loved everything they have done so far.  I have previously reviewed their first EP and second album, and you can read about it here.  Not only that, they are a favorite in my household.  My 14 year-old daughter loves them and plays them in the bathroom or asks me to play them in the car.

So naturally, we were excited for their third album, "Heads Up", to come out.

When samples came out on YouTube, at first I was a little taken aback.  One of the things that I liked about this band is how moody and dark their music is.  This one seemed more upbeat and poppy.  In fact, many of the comments online seemed to indicate that many fans felt this way.  The band seemed more saccharine and commercially viable with their new sound.

But after downloading the album and giving it a listen, I have changed my mind.  This album is a demonstration that they are growing as artists.  Yes, it is less acoustic and more drum driven with many electronic elements.  But this is really the time for drummer Stella Mozgawa to shine.  Her complex rhythms really drive this record forward with Jenny Lee's bass in tow.  Theresa Wayman's guitar scintillates in the backgroud and gives the album the group's signature ethereal dream pop sound.  Emily Kokal's sweet voice drips like honey over every song, but, as usual, every member contributes to the vocals giving many songs a Bangles feel, or - dare I say it - like Bananarama.

Heads Up

The album starts out with "White Out", which is my daughter's favorite song, an exercise in minimalism, a drum beat, a banjo-sounding guitar, and vocal harmonies.  A few songs have a trip-hop feel like "By Your Side", "Don't Wanna", and "Dre", a tribute to the rapper.  "New Song" is the main single off the album, and, boy, is it catchy, having kind of a Duran Duran feel, Jenny Lee's bass line resembling something played intricately by John Taylor.  I had one friend compare this song to New Order.  I have to say - Jenny Lee is one of the best bassists out there.  I love just watching her fingers move across the fretboard on their videos.  :"The Stall" and "So Good" are great pop songs.  "Don't Let Go" has a Pink Floyd vibe.  The title track "Heads Up" is one of my favorite songs on here with its driving drum and bass pulse offset by Wayman's watery guitar playing.  "Above Control" heavily uses electronica but has every bit of the otherwordly atmosphere that this band is known for, along with '60s-style vocals.  The album finishes off with an acoustic number, "Today Dear", that hales back to the sound of their first EP.

Man, I can't rave enough about this album... or should I say woman.  This album is one of the best to come out this year.  I don't understand why these guys are not more huge.  But it would be definitely worth your while to check it out.  They have shown that they can stretch beyond expectations as musicians and songwriters.  Do yourself a favor and check out Warpaint.

Warpaint Counts Coup

Warpaint

Since I first discovered them last year, I have become obsessed with this band.  Especially in the last few weeks since I have been preparing for this review.  I always look for new and innovative music.  And Los Angeles's Warpaint is just that.

For this review, I am reviewing their 2008 debut EP, "Exquisite Corpse", and their 2014 eponymous second album.

How do you describe their music?  Haunting, minimalist, atmospheric, dreamy...  Their sound is dominated by strong bass rhythms, a sandpaper wash of percussion, and raining, subtle guitars.  Emily Kokal is the primary vocalist, and yet all of the band members lend their voices to create breathy harmonies that wash gently over the arrangements. They definitely have a strong female vibe, the kind found in other bands like The Bangles or Throwing Muses.

"Exquisite Corpse" was produced and engineered by former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist, John Frusciante with guitars and drums added by current RHCP guitarist, Josh Klinghoffer.  I love when well-established musicians will go out of the way to discover and promote up and coming musicians.  And this EP is a strong start for these ladies.

"Stars" opens the EP and is one of my favorite tracks, starts muted with no drums, the guitar notes falling like a sprinkle of spring rain, the vocals hushed, and then it gradually tightens and mounts slowly, wistful longing swaying from the voices, never quite giving in to frenzy.  "Elephants" scratches away in an insistent manner that shows that these artists understand psychedelia.  The haunting "Billie Holiday" is a moving piece that consists of the band spelling out the title of the song.  It is so catchy that I would say, not only is it my favorite song, but a favorite of all my kids, from younger to older, who walk around the house singing this song.  "Beetles" demonstrates how versatile these girls are, complete with several delicious shifts in tempo.  The other songs - "Burgundy" and "Krimson" are just as delectable.

Their debut album, "The Fool", came out in 2010.  I don't have it yet, but I have listened to a couple of tracks like "Shadows" and "Composure", and I like what I have heard.  Honestly, this album will be my next download.

Their second album, "Warpaint", is just as ethereal and ambient.  Although the band relies more on smoky electronic drumbeats and languid electronic loops to sustain their vibe.  It works, though, in songs like "Hi", "Disco // very", and "Feeling Alright".  But their signature sound is there - the torrential vocals, the smoky guitars, all sounding like something out of "Twin Peaks".  My personal favorites are "Keep It Healthy" and "Love Is To Die".  The first time I heard these thoughts, I immediately thought, "This is my kind of music."

I am very glad to have discovered this band.  They are simply refreshing, and you would be remiss if you did not join their war party and head into their mystic, sonic landscape.