Album Review: Warpaint – Warpaint

Having toured the arse off of debut album The Fool for a good three and a bit years, it’s no wonder that anticipation for Warpaint’s next move is rife. Testament to the appeal of the LA four-piece is the fact that, unlike most bands who bugger off for that long after their first record, Warpaint’s appeal as cult heroes has only travelled further and wider than even they could have probably imagined.

New album Warpaint (they have an album called Warpaint, they have a song called ‘Warpaint’, and funnily enough, they are called Warpaint. Great.) sees the band ‘explore’ somewhat. Recent live shows have seen keyboards, more effects pedals than you shake a surge protector at, and increased emphasis on the rhythm section of bassist Jenny Lee Lindberg and drummer Stella Mozgawa. It’s with no haste that the two quickly dominate proceedings, as the deep rumblings of the former’s four-string are guided through the dark and desolate songs by the latter’s superb percussion. ‘Keep It Healthy’ exemplefies such intricate musicianship, while ‘Feeling Alright’ could be the alternative Bond theme that this world so desperately needs.

The experimentation really becomes apparent on ‘Go In’ – a hazy amalgamation of sounds that miraculously finds itself a melody, structure and rhythm – through the soft voices and beautiful harmonies of Emily Kokal and Theresa Wayman. It’s part jazz, part folk, part electronica, and as always, part psychedelic. Both ‘Hi’ and ‘Biggy’ make use of drum loops and samples, while ‘CC’ is one of the darkest things they’ve done, riddled with a brooding atmosphere that’s reminiscent of the Exquisite Corpse EP from 2009.

Far be they from a band resting on their laurels, the metaphorical kitchen sink of ideas has been thrown at these 52 minutes, ranging from ‘Disco//Very’, which is, well, very disco (but with a nightmarish theme), and ‘Drive’, a huge slice of ambient pie that is possibly the best thing here. But the Warpaint of old is still around too; be it in ‘Love Is to Die’’s sultry familiarity, or the subdued ‘Teese’, which could well be the ‘Baby’ or ‘Billie Holiday’ of this album.

Warpaint’s cause isn’t so much to be the chart-topping act that their label might love, nor the game-playing indie band that their press might warrant. No, Warpaint are artists. In a world of disposable imitations, Warpaint is a dream come true for all those who listen to it.

– Mark Riley

Warpaint is available from January 20 on Rough Trade.