Amaarae Ascends on Boundless 'BLACK STAR'

Summary

• Amaarae’s third studio album is here, BLACK STAR
• The 13-song project features PinkPantheress, Naomi Campbell, Zacari, and more
• Infused with Ghanaian sonic and aesthetic influence, BLACK STAR, per Amaarae, is dedicated to “the alternative youth of Ghana”

Amaarae‘s star has been one to watch for a while now, initially inviting an influx of eyes with breakout single “Fluid” in 2017. Almost ten years later, the Ghanaian-American’s artistry is still guided by her fluidity – in genre, gender, style, and sonic composition – possibly more now than ever before, shining through her third studio album, BLACK STAR. 

Across the enamouring 13-track album, Amaarae takes the sounds of her Ghanaian upbringing global, amalgamating amapiano and Afrobeats, among other local subgenres – ghettotech, house, techno, and baile funk included. Her internet era come-up is also strung throughout the album, hypnotic synths and dreamy dance breaks hitting right when needed.

In Amaarae’s own words, the diaspora-transcending LP is an ode to the alternative youth of Ghana. “This era is about vindication—for myself and my community,” she asserts.

As for the project’s contributors, PinkPantheress hops on highlight “Kiss Me Thru The Phone pt.  2,” with Naomi Campbell on “ms60,” both Bree Runway and Starkillers on “Starkilla,” Zacari on “100DRUM,” and Charlie Wilson on “Dream Scenario.”

1. Stuck Up
2. Starkilla ft. Bree Runway & Starkillers
3. ms60 ft. Naomi Campbell
4. Kiss Me Thru The Phone pt. 2 ft. PinkPantheress
5. B2B
6. She Is My Drug
7. Girlie-Pop!
8. S.M.O.
9. Fineshyt
10. Dove Cameron
11. Dream Scenario ft. Charlie Wilson
12. 100DRUM ft. Zacari
13. Free The Youth

Infused with the influence of her elders, BLACK STAR blurs a myriad of local sounds and revamps them for the internet age – turning up the reverb, leaning into AutoTune, somehow maintaining a finger on the pulse to anticipate just what unexpected sonic union we don’t even know we’re seeking out. If the future of Afropop is in Amaarae’s hands, we’re doing more than just fine.

Stream BLACK STAR – out everywhere now.