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I Can See a Future in You: Afro Darlings WRITTEN BY: Juana Giaimo
W
hen I suggested doing this column dedicated to brand new artists, I immediately knew that the first band I was going to write about would be Afro Darlings. On their first EP California Sasquatchi I found four tracks with an extremely high level of creativity that makes them different from each other. Snoopy’s Sombrero is an ideal opening song, introducing you into their crazy and amusing world, with an vital and passionate voice that leads this dynamic song. Dane Riveros vocals are exploited to get the best of the and knowing that they are influences by artist such as Animal Collective, Talking Heads, David Bowie and Dirty Projectors, it is easy to know where they got that from. These influences are also part of the reason of the sudden changes in one same song. The clearest example is Gorilla Hands, that after two minutes of slow motion singing and heavy keyboards, it changes into an active and amusing rap with a dancing beat. Their second EP, Money Water, is diverse as well, but it is neater and easier to follow. While in California Sasquatch the songs seem to be building themselves leading to those huge changes, on Money Maker it looks as they already have in mind what they want and if there is a change it is because it was planned.
Even in Jamaican Dollars the addition of a sampler of Mitt Romney singing “America the Beautiful” doesn’t sound out of place at all. In other words, this EP is organized so as to avoid confusion. However, Afro Darlings are still innovating and are at risk all the time: if they take one more step they would fall into a precipice of messy and blurred music that wouldn’t have made any sense. But for being able to control all their potential they are at the top of the mountain. What makes this mixture of different sounds a whole uniform sound is its Californian atmosphere. The synth base is kind of danceable, but they differentiate of the new synth Pop, as it is covered with lots of experimental arrangements. It is interesting also the contrast between the strong and determinate male voice and Kristle Manaoat’s spectral one, creating fantastic backing vocals. But she is also able to surprise us when at the end of Jumping out of Windows her calmness transforms into wild exclamations. On the other hand, the simple percussion doesn’t interfere in the expansion and development of the music adding to this feeling of unconcerned looseness. Afro Darlings differentiate from the other bands because of their uncomplicated experimental sound, from which they create a relaxing and joyful atmosphere by gathering together enjoyable and amusing songs.
BSHR Indie Music Magazine