[Speak n Spell: 2009]It’s overwhelming to think that 2009 is drawing to a close and yet the amazing debut releases just keep on coming and coming. So far, we’ve been thrilled by The XX, Florence and The Machine, Oh Mercy, Odawas, Girls, Friendly Fires… It’s outrageous. And now there’s another one to add to the list: Warpaint's EP Exquisite Corpse.
The single “Billie Holiday” has been on the Album of The Week playlist several times this year, in case it sounds familiar. Backed by strings and gorgeous layered vocal harmonies, this track has a similarly romantic, wistful feel as one of last year’s most lovely tunes, “Gila” by folk duo Beach House. The song gently eases into a dreamy cover of Mary Wells’ Motown hit “My Guy” before melting back into this sublime tribute to Ms Holiday. Bass-player Jenny Lee Lindberg’s bass lines are perhaps one of the best things about the arrangements of these songs - they're prominent in the mix and take the lead melody in several songs, with Emily Kokal and Theresa Wayman’s chime-like guitar parts twinkling across the top. There’s a beautiful dark, quiet, night-time feel to this record – as though it should be played under the stars.
The voice of Emily Kokal definitely feeds the dark atmospherics – she has the angular intensity of Bjork (just listen to “Elephants” to hear what I mean), the breathy sexiness of Natasha Khan of Bat For Lashes, and the soulful country lilt of Cat Power.
The record overflows with echoing reverb, sudden mid-song tempo changes, and vulnerable lyrics that make Exquisite Corpse a surreal and unpredictable listen. Warpaint might not quite be our favourite new band of the year but this EP is, in a word, exquisite.
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