Fountain Baby by Amaarae

BACKGROUND

Amaarae introduced many of us to the Alté sound. The first time I heard of her was on youtube, a few weeks after the music video for her smash hit 'Fluid' came out. You know those annoying youtube ads that pop up in the middle of your favourite youtube video? Fluid was one of mine for a very, very long time. I got tired of running from it, so I decided to run straight into it, and boy was that a canon event. Fell in love with the song and, by extension, the EP it was in. 'Happy Mistakes' was in my rotation for years (and it still is). Safe to say, Amaarae has made herself a mainstay in the African music industry with her innovative sound and beat-bending flow. And from her newest drop, you can tell this is only the beginning.

Fountain Baby

The rollout for this project was INSANE! From billboards to personalized messages, Amaarae pulled out all the stops to make sure her audience knew the storm that was coming. Before Fountain Baby was released, Amaarae dropped two singles: 'Co-Star' and 'Reckless & Sweet'. Both singles were amazing and showed. It was easy to tell fountain baby would be an evolution from her debut album, 'The Angel You Don't Know' and gave us an idea of what to expect from her sophomore album. Even with that, we still weren't prepared for this. Fountain Baby is a sonic masterpiece. Our femme fatale displays her versatility on this album, giving us something that transcends genres, all without a single feature. Amaarae is credited as a producer on this album and is known for having the best production in all her music, but Fountain Baby is in a league of its own. The 14-song, 40-minute album is an artistic showcase, and in this post, I will do my best to gather my thoughts into words.

All My Love

The opener. All My Love is a beautiful symphony, deceptively beautiful, actually. On first listen, this song felt very relaxing. If I was in a Persian oasis being fed grapes by half-naked women, this is the song I'd be listening to. Right before this song ended, I expected a very calm and laid-back album, but oh, was I wrong.

Angels in Tibet

GUUUUY! She didn't need to go as hard as she did on this song. But she did, and it set the tone for the rest of the album. Firstly, the transition from All My Love to Angels in Tibet was amazing. Secondly, This song should've come with a disclaimer because it had no reason to slap like that. The beat drop was insane. Like most of the songs on this album, the production stole the show. By no means does that mean that Amaarae didn't body the song. Her flow and cadence are immaculate. This is a very early contender for my favourite song on this album. 

Side Note: This song would make so much sense as the soundtrack to an Aladdin movie. The South-Asian/Middle eastern influence stands out.

Co-Star

Probably my least favourite song on the album. Alongside Reckless & Sweet, Co-Star was one of the singles released a few weeks before Fountain Baby was dropped. From the lyrics, I know I'm not the target audience for it. This was made for astrology lovers, but the production is so good that you can still enjoy it. The music video pulls it all together with stunning visuals and perfect cameo choices.

Princess Gone Digital

This is Alte. The first 20 seconds of this song are AMAZING. Princess Gone Digital is in contention for my favourite song on the album. The fourth song in a row with fantastic production. It's the perfect complement to Amaarae's voice. The synths work so well with the beat, which has this contagious bounce to it. So far, it's my most replayed song.

Side Note: Amaarae, if you're reading this, the world NEEDS a Cruel Santino verse on this. Give us a remix, please!

Big Steppa 

This song would be the perfect track to listen to with a live band. From the horns to the percussion, every bit of the production is smooth and soft. Amaarae's voice glides over this production as she takes centre stage and muses about a love that's hers, yet not quite.

Reckless and Sweet 

Amaarae's voice is addicting on this track. Big Steppa transitions into Reckless and sweet so beautifully. The deeper you get into the album, the more you understand the long wait for the album. All the stops were pulled to ensure this was a masterpiece. The lyrics of Reckless and Sweet are very catchy, and her thirst for luxury and wealth is the relatable topic of choice.

Wasted Eyes

The production on Wasted Eyes is jaw-dropping. The Japanese Koto makes an appearance on this song, and there's something very violent yet groovy about the way it's incorporated into the production. On this track, Amaarae goes off. Her lyricism and melody are displayed beautifully, and the horns on the hook are immaculate. There's something very badass about the way she sings about her 'wasted eyes'- giving attention to someone that hasn't earned it, yet there's still a longing for them.

Counterfeit 

One thing about Amaarae, she's going to let you know she's a baller. Over an experimental production, she reminds us that she's shes got it all. a lavish lifestyle, endless stacks, and beautiful women that want her. Another thing about Amaare is how well she integrates the music and culture she grew up with into her music. The sampling of the iconic production of Wamp Wamp by 2000s hip-hop duo Clipse doesn't go unnoticed. As a pioneer of the new African Sound, it's incredibly cool to see how she still finds ways to integrate things we already know and love. 

Disguise 

The subtlety and smoothness of the individual instruments contribute to the greatness that is Disguise. There's something very mysterious about the production, and I'm here for it. With iconic lines and an amazing melody, this song easily became one of my favourites on the album. The laid-back yet still vibrant production complements her voice beautifully, and the violins are a fantastic touch.

Sex, Violence, Suicide

Her voice and the production on the first half of the track are sensual and haunting. She's in a reverie, a psychedelic experience, and it's beautiful although short-lived. The punk rockstar inside her quickly jumps out for the second part of the song. Love is a dangerous thing, addictive and deadly, and she expresses that quite well in this song.

Sociopathic Dance Queen 

This song was delightful. It's sweet and upbeat, a soft classic synth-pop track. Once again, the production is immaculate, and her voice and lyrics are just as amazing. 

Aquamarine Luvs Ecstasy 

AfroFusion Amaarae makes a reappearance in this song. She's in love again, and she lets us know ever so beautifully. This song sounds like silk sheets and a good time. The softness of the production is a perfect fit for her sultry musings and melody.

Water From Wine

Water from wine sounds exactly like the name suggests, fluid. The quality of the production throughout the album is top-notch, and this love song is no different. Calling to her mystery lover, our pop star croons about future fantasies in that soft voice we all love.

Come Home To God

A perfect ending to an amazing album. Amaarae has created a masterpiece, and she knows it. The electric guitar leads on this track, creating an incredible alt-rock sequence I love. The guitar solo is exquisite, and for a few seconds you feel like you're ascending- truly coming home to God.

SUMMARY

Amaarae and her amazing team have managed to go beyond the limits of what African music is supposed to sound like, creating something phenomenal. The fusion of genres, sweet melodies and stellar production are testaments of the love and care that went into Fountain Baby. My expectations have been exceeded, and although this album is entirely different from her debut, it is a piece of art that could only be made by Amaarae. A true gem. You're missing out if you've not already listened to this album. Tap into the fountain.