Album Review :: Warpaint - Warpaint

Warpaint

Warpaint

January 20 2014 (Rough Trade)

7.5/10

Words: Alison Mack


Following up their 2010 debut 'The Fool', Warpaint mark their return with this self-titled release, produced by the girls with Flood (PJ Harvey, Sigur Ros). Swim Deep may have added gloss to bassist Jenny Lee Lindberg by immortalising her in song, but her contribution here is deserved of its own accolades. She and fellow rhythm section compatriot, drummer Stella Mozgawa, provide a backdrop of trip-happy rhythms that mesh and revolve around the hazy vocals and harmonies of Emily Kokal and Theresa Wayman.

It would seem that over the last four years Warpaint have been broadening out their sound; on this there is more of a psychedelic and experimental (use of electronics, for one) feel that they have not previously been associated with: the sludgy basslines and ethereal vocals of the acclaimed 'Undertow' now take on, in places, RnB and dubstep. 'On 'Disco/Very', for example, there's a rap lyric over a disco-inflection groove, while 'Hi' trips a smoochy hip-hop line, with a multi-layering of sounds and transcendant vocals that are reminiscent of something Radiohead might turn out. The near-on six minutes of 'Biggy' with Kokal and Wayman providing dual vocals, is an electronic jam with a pulsing synth arrangement that probably owes much to the involvement of Flood. The official album release 'Love Is To Die For' and 'Keep It Healthy' highlight the rhythm section, working to perfection on both tracks, and the reverberated vocals that define the Warpaint sound - seductive and brooding.

So, we know the girls can entice, lure and create sensual delicacies for aural cavities, but has this long-anticipated album been worth the wait? On their first outing, Warpaint came along as something fresh and innovative; since then, however, others have emerged to equal - maybe even surpass? - the sound Warpaint defined. Whilst credit can be given on 'Warpaint' for the band trying a few new tricks, 'new' and 'different' doesn't always necessarily equate with 'better'. It will be interesting to see where they go from here.