Warpaint is an indie band comprised of idiosyncratic young ladies and defined by a creepy, lulling mesh of instruments and vocals. Started by a group of childhood friends, the band was formed in 2004 and released their first EP, Exquisite Corpse, in 2007. Since then, the band has released two albums, The Fool and the more recent, self-titled Warpaint. A long stretch from the mainstream, Warpaint’s music is slow, profound, and quiet.
“Baby”
A long jump from their relatively subdued, strange style, “Baby,” from the album The Fool, hinges on folk, centering itself on guitar picking and heartbreaking vocals. Overwhelmingly sad, the song relies on a seeming penchant for ache. The use of instruments is rather minimal; however the song more than makes up for this with alternating background vocals that create a space of their own.
“Bees”
“Bees” is abstract. Probably the most accurate representation of the band in itself, the song is complex and mystifying. The lyrics remain relatively inaudible but the variety of infiltrating noises compensate for the lack of a human presence. In fact, “Bees” defines the band’s style in terms of the foreign and alien rather than the human.
“Feeling Alright”
One of the highlights of their new album, “Feeling Alright” most certainly feels more alive than most of Warpaint’s songs. The dominating beat of drums constantly vacillates in intensity, and the variety of percussion in the song in general makes it an interesting listen.
“Go In”
Granted, I mostly like this song because the intro reminds me of John Coltrane’s “Equinox,” but it is still stamped with the melancholy glow of Warpaint. Its low, jazzy beats progressively transform into hypnotic, Lynchian echoes. The melody is constantly varying: at times becoming exotic, at others being nonchalant and effortlessly cool.
“Keep It Healthy”
Entrenched in their characteristic, enigmatic tone yet picking up the pace a little, “Keep It Healthy” sounds not unlike a Radiohead track. Warpaint’s creepiness burns at the edges of this track with the repeating guitar progression, emphasized by the lullaby of Emily Kokan’s voice, which barely reaches the surface. Even if lyrics only peek through, the hurt behind the song informs every instrument to create an all-out experience.