Amaarae’s Fountain Child follow-up is on the best way. Black Star arrives August 8, through Interscope, and you’ll watch the video for Ghanaian highlife–impressed single “S.M.O.” beneath. The Ghanaian American singer shot the video in Ghana with director Omar Jones. Try the brand new album’s cowl paintings beneath, too.
In a press launch, Amaarae stated of the only:
For so long as I’ve made music, fusion has been my power, and I believe this involves full fruition on “S.M.O.” The music takes inspiration from Ghanaian ’80s highlife trailblazer Ata Kak and blends it with a imply Detroit membership bass, a drum roll akin to each Magic System’s “1er Gaou” and Michael Jackson’s “Rock With You,” and an infectious zouk melody that seems like a metal pan lipsing an evil synth. I really feel like the brand new Donna Summer time combined with Management-period Janet, and the music just about speaks for itself. Like “Pleasure Precept” or “Like to Love You Child,” I don’t know the way a lot clearer one can get once they ask you to “SLUT ME OUT.” The message can’t be mistaken, and the beat makes you progress. That’s all I need to do that summer season, make individuals dance and really feel issues!
After releasing Fountain Child, in 2023, Amaarae put out an EP, Roses Are Crimson, Tears Are Blue — A Fountain Child Prolonged Play. Examine Fountain Child at No. 20 in Pitchfork’s rundown of “The 100 Greatest Albums of the 2020s So Far.”
