If you’ve managed to escape recent news of the up-and-coming LA-based all-girl rock group Warpaint, then your avoidance skills are commendable. In the lead up to the release of their debut album ‘The Fool’, the band have managed to stir up a fair bit of excitement amongst the music press. Following a successful summer of festival appearances, including Reading and Leeds, Warpaint have already been invited on a tour of the US by this year’s Mercury winners The xx. Now, after months of speculation, the four-piece are readying their album for its impending release.
Despite only being six years old, Warpaint’s history is already steeped in Hollywood spirit. The band’s original drummer was actress Shannyn Sossamon of ‘A Knight’s Tale’ fame, who also happens to be the sister of their current bassist Jenny Lee Lindberg. Also, lead vocalist Emily Kokal was once the girlfriend of ex-Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante. In fact, it was he who mixed their highly-regarded debut EP ‘Exquisite Corpse’.
However, don’t let any of this Hollywood propaganda put you off. This album is far from the corporate, overproduced cheesy rock of some of their peers and there’s absolutely no sign of the usual LA charm that we’ve come to know and despise. The even better news is that the outcome appears to resemble none of the desperate punky/grungy attitude that you may have come to expect from previous examples of all-girl rock troupes. Not that it’s such a huge shock to hear something impressive from a group of women, but this is truly special stuff.
Opener ‘Set Your Arms Down’ gets the album off to a soft and groovy start. Interestingly enough, it’s also the first of only two of the nine tracks here that has more than one word in the title. The other being closer ‘Lissie’s Heart Murmur’.
The haunting lead vocals come across like a strong mixture of Bjork and Beth Gibbons of Potishead and that’s probably the closest thing you will hear to a direct comparison with any other band. The mood is certainly trippy and it sets the scene perfectly for the psychedelic theme of the album, but an incessant bore-fest this isn’t. The drums pump life into the atmospheric haze and help to build the track into a more progressive pace.
The beat on the title track continues to confirm the magnificent drumming that characterises ‘The Fool’. In this one example specifically, it’s easy to see how anyone could dance to Warpaint’s music, proving it to be more than just stoner fodder. As well as the darkly intricate guitar work and playful basslines on offer, the album frequently utilises the harmonious united voices of the band’s members. Even on the odd occasion when the music drifts into the lighter side of Warpaint’s brand of art-rock, the eerie vocals continue to remain ever-present.
Over the past few months, Warpaint have repeatedly been labelled as a psychedelic rock band and, indeed, on many occasions throughout ‘The Fool’ it is undoubted that the trippier elements of rock music are somewhat involved. However, the group’s first full-length effort is more than just a straightforward psychedelic record, if there is such a thing. ‘The Fool’ is a dark and exciting mixture of a number of genres that frequently sees the band dipping into rock, dub, indie, hip-hip and dance. Warpaint have made an album that successfully takes experimental art-rock to the extreme. This truly is grrrl power at its best.
Stereoboard Rating 9/10
Release date: 25th October
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
Opener ‘Set Your Arms Down’ gets the album off to a soft and groovy start. Interestingly enough, it’s also the first of only two of the nine tracks here that has more than one word in the title. The other being closer ‘Lissie’s Heart Murmur’. 
