Warpaint

If you follow me on Twitter or have spoken to me in the last few months asking about what I'm listening to then you won't have escaped without hearing me mention Warpaint. These four girls (Emily Kokal, Theresa Wayman, Stela Mozgawa and Jenny Lee Lindberg) have had me under their spell ever since I read about them in the NME's cover of the SXSW Festival in Texas earlier this year. I got hold of their EP Exquisite Corpse back in June and devoured it. It was dark, brooding, sexy, mysterious, full of creeping, echoey guitar that sounded like The Cure if the line-up were to consists of four alarmingly attractive ladies. They've been hyped up left, right and centre, especially by the NME. They released their debut album The Fool on Monday 25th October and I got hold of it yesterday.


Wow.



Just wow. This album is an experience. It's a terrifyingly dark yet beautiful world that pulls you in an envelopes you in seductive, sultry female harmony, supported by smooth and sleek guitar lines, deep, thumping bass and sparklingly varied and textured drums. If you've listened to albums like The Cure's Disintegration then you'll have an idea of the kind of thing I'm talking about. Dark and terrifying yet warm and welcoming- almost like being in the womb.

Aside form the music, there's a lot to like about Warpaint. First of all, they're fine looking girls. Second, this album is the result of a long gestation period, which has resulted in a mature band whose chemistry is palpable across interview and photos as well as the music. Also, they're just so wonderfully feminine, but in a way no other female artists are pulling off. There are a lot of female popstars who are trying to create a distant, ice maiden feel about themselves, putting their feminine mystique on neutral (Robyn, Florence + The Machine). Then there are those highly in touch with their femininity and all that comes with it, who choose to either prance and flaunt it wonderfully (Marina and the Diamonds) or sit back and beguilingly contemplate it (Laura Marling). This all contrasts wonderfully to vacuous, shallow, diabolical pop stars like Katy Perry and Cheryl Cole who misrepresent women and musicians on every possible level. The point I want to make though is that, from what I can see, Warpaint's music doesn't make a conscious effort to distance itself from their feminine charms, but nor does it actively flaunt it. It's music though that is just undeniably female- breathy, sultry, seductive, exuding this idea of "come to bed eyes". It's captivating.

All of that is exemplified, musically and lyrically in the delicious single "Undertow" from their album, available for free download below via a link from Gorilla vs Bear:

http://www.gorillavsbear.net/2010/09/14/mp3-warpaint-undertow/

Please, please support these girls and buy their album, it's a stunning listen. Expect great things.