Among this growing trend of girl groups with acoustic guitars and braided hair, it’s quite a relief to have Warpaint rising in popularity. Although widely recognised under the ‘indie’ genre, to describe this band as yet another indie girl group would not do them one ounce of justice. The LA four piece kick-start 2014 with long awaited, self-titled album Warpaint, a flawless representation of their musical depth. This is an album that will you will not only hear, but feel too.
First track, ‘Intro’ kicks in with a raw instrumental effect that leaves you with the feeling of listening in on a rehearsal and highlights this band’s edge. ‘Keep It Healthy’ is the track that flows from ‘Intro’, a smooth transition into a song with the perfect balance of energy and soothing vocals. Following this is an anticipation inducing introduction to ‘Love Is To Die’, a track you’ll feel running through your veins. Soft vocals loom over the droning guitar producing a somewhat eerie and sinister tone in relation to the track’s name.
Warpaint then throw a bit of variation into the mix with some hints of hip hop elements sneaking into ‘Hi’ and ‘Disco//Very’. These tracks show that rather than just simply trying out a bit of hip hop, the four piece are putting their own spin on it to create something unique, something more than just some ‘sick beats’. ‘Go In’ then follows with a deep bass line and hazy tone, the perfect chill out song after the burst of sinister energy in ‘Disco//Very’.
Warpaint demonstrates a broad range of music skills and influences in a concise manner so as not to be throwing too much at the listener. The instruments and vocals work hand in hand to create such an intense sensation that it is hard to focus on one particular element as they all blend in to one. Across the album there is an overwhelming range of vocal points, from the deep, sinister tones of ‘Disco//Very’ to the light and airy vocals of ‘Biggy’ that barely touch the surface. The distinction of such vocals make for an ideally balanced album consisting of diverse yet relatable songs that send shivers down your spine.
SAMANTHA MAE 