| Fountain Baby | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | June 9, 2023 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 39:33 | |||
| Label | Interscope | |||
| Amaarae chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Fountain Baby | ||||
| ||||
Fountain Baby is the second album by the Ghanaian-American singer Amaarae. It was released by Interscope Records on June 9, 2023. The album, released to widespread critical acclaim, was supported by three singles, "Reckless & Sweet", "Co-Star", and "Wasted Eyes".
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 95/100 [5] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| And It Don't Stop | A− [6] |
| Clash | 9/10 [7] |
| The Daily Telegraph |  [8] |
| Exclaim! | 8/10 [2] |
| NME | [9] |
| The Observer | [10] |
| Pitchfork | 8.7/10 [1] |
Fountain Baby was released to overwhelmingly positive reception. Metacritic , a review aggregator, awarded a score of 95/100 based on eight critic reviews, indicating "universal acclaim". [5]
Pitchfork named the record "Best New Music" with Julianne Escobedo Shepherd writing, "The Ghanaian American singer's dazzling second album is a confident and unconventional record that flows, saunters, and boasts its way to one of the best pop albums of the year." [1]
Tarisai Ngangura for NPR enjoyed the variety between songs and was impressed by the cohesive fusion of various genres. [11]
Robert Christgau, reviewing in his "Consumer Guide" column on Substack, appreciated Amaarae's grounded gratitude for the same-sex obsession "she can afford" to have as a successful artist:
Her portion of fame proud and earned, her voice simultaneously fragile and self-possessed, her star-time comforts and advantages acknowledged without vanity or apology, she doesn't so much boast about her crushes, trysts, and conquests as lay them out lubriciously or matter-of-factly as the cherished rewards of a lifestyle I wouldn't be surprised to learn she's exaggerating ... she appreciates what she's got without taking it for granted, and without assuming there are no more chapters to her story. [6]
In September, Rolling Stone listed the album as one of the best albums of 2023 so far. [12]
| Publication | List | Rank | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slant | The 50 Best Albums of 2023 | 4 | |
| The Line of Best Fit | The Line of Best Fit's Albums of the Year 2023 | 5 | |
| Pitchfork | The 50 Best Albums of 2023 | 7 | |
| NME | NME's Best Albums of 2023 | 8 | |
| The New Yorker | Amanda Petrusich's Best Albums of 2023 | 9 | |
| Crack Magazine | The Top 50 Albums of the Year | 11 | |
| Rolling Stone | The 100 Best Albums of 2023 | 26 | |
| Exclaim! | Exclaim!'s 50 Best Albums of 2023 | 43 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "All My Love" |
| Dessi | 0:43 |
| 2. | "Angels in Tibet" |
| Cracker Mallo | 2:23 |
| 3. | "Co-Star" |
| Cadenza | 2:47 |
| 4. | "Princess Going Digital" |
| 3:09 | |
| 5. | "Big Steppa" |
| Dessi | 2:57 |
| 6. | "Reckless & Sweet" |
|
| 2:40 |
| 7. | "Wasted Eyes" |
| 2:29 | |
| 8. | "Counterfeit" |
| 2:36 | |
| 9. | "Disguise" |
| 2:50 | |
| 10. | "Sex, Violence, Suicide" |
|
| 4:13 |
| 11. | "Sociopathic Dance Queen" |
| Rothman | 2:20 |
| 12. | "Aquamarie Luvs Ecstasy" |
| Rothman | 4:39 |
| 13. | "Water from Wine" |
|
| 2:36 |
| 14. | "Come Home to God" |
|
| 3:20 |
| Total length: | 39:33 | |||
Notes
Hell Hath No Fury is the third studio album by hip hop duo Clipse. The album was released on November 28, 2006 in the United States by Re-Up, Star Trak and Jive. Recording sessions for the album took place over a period of several years, and suffered numerous delays prior to release. Production was handled by The Neptunes.
Claire Elise Boucher, known professionally as Grimes, is a Canadian musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Her early work has been described as extending from "lo-fi R&B" to futuristic dance-pop, and has incorporated influences from electronic music, hip hop, and rock. Her lyrics often touch on science fiction and feminist themes. The visuals in her videos are elaborate and sometimes have fantasy themes. She has released five studio albums.
Alvvays is the debut studio album by Canadian indie pop band Alvvays, released on July 22, 2014, by Polyvinyl, Royal Mountain and Transgressive.
Rips is the debut studio album by American indie rock band Ex Hex. It was released on October 7, 2014 by Merge Records.
Eat Pray Thug is the debut studio album by American hip hop artist Heems. It was released on Megaforce Records on March 10, 2015. Music videos were created for "Sometimes", "Damn, Girl", and "Pop Song (Games)".
AIM is the fifth studio album by British rapper and singer M.I.A. It was released on 9 September 2016 by Interscope and Polydor Records. Prior to its release, M.I.A. claimed that it would be her final album. She worked on the composition and production of the album with a range of collaborators, including Blaqstarr, Diplo, and Skrillex. The album was recorded in various countries, including Jamaica and India, and includes vocal contributions from Dexta Daps and Zayn. As with M.I.A.'s earlier releases, the album mixes Eastern and Western musical influences. Lyrically, several tracks on the album contain themes of borders and refugees.
Be the Cowboy is the fifth studio album by American indie rock musician Mitski, released on August 17, 2018, through Dead Oceans. Produced by longtime collaborator Patrick Hyland, the album widens Mitski's palette with a return to the piano featured on her first two records alongside synthesizers, horns and the guitar that became her signature instrument. Upon its release, Be the Cowboy received widespread acclaim from music critics, who later ranked it among the best albums of 2018. It was preceded by the singles "Geyser", "Nobody", and "Two Slow Dancers". Be the Cowboy was Mitski's first album to chart on the Billboard 200, and also entered the charts in Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
Room 25 is the debut studio album by American hip hop recording artist Noname. Recorded in about a month's time, the album chronicles the two years since the release of Noname's debut mixtape Telefone, most notably her move from Chicago to Los Angeles and an intense, short-lived romantic relationship.
Honey is the eighth studio album by Swedish singer Robyn, and her first since Body Talk (2010). It was released on 26 October 2018 through Konichiwa, Island and Interscope Records. It features the singles "Missing U", "Honey", "Ever Again", "Beach 2k20", and "Baby Forgive Me". The song "Send to Robin Immediately" also served as part of the promotional campaign for the singer's clothing line collaboration with Björn Borg.
Legacy! Legacy! is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter and poet Jamila Woods, released on May 10, 2019, by Jagjaguwar. Woods supported the album with her own concert tour, along with performing as the opening act for the rapper Common's tour in 2019 and the singer Raphael Saadiq's 2020 Jimmy Lee Tour.
So Much Fun is the debut studio album by American rapper Young Thug. It was released on August 16, 2019, by YSL Records, 300 Entertainment and Atlantic Records. The album features guest appearances from Future, Machine Gun Kelly, Gunna, Lil Baby, Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Duke, 21 Savage, Doe Boy, Lil Keed, Quavo, Juice Wrld, Nav, J. Cole, and Travis Scott. The album was supported by the singles "The London" and "Hot".
Ama Serwah Genfi, known professionally as Amaarae, is a Ghanaian-American singer-songwriter. She is known for her fusion of pop, R&B, afrobeats, and alté, as well as her fluid representation of gender and sexuality. After collaborating with local artists and putting out a few non-album singles, she released her debut EP, Passionfruit Summers, in 2017.
Saint Cloud is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Waxahatchee, released on March 27, 2020, by Merge Records. Released at the onset of the global coronavirus pandemic, Saint Cloud received universal acclaim from music critics, who praised its depth and mellow sound. Initially unable to tour behind the album, Waxahatchee embarked on a supporting tour in 2021.
Good News is the debut studio album by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion. It was released on November 20, 2020, by 300 Entertainment and 1501 Certified. The album features guest appearances from DaBaby, City Girls, Lil Durk, SZA, Popcaan, Mustard, Big Sean, 2 Chainz, Young Thug, and Beyoncé. The music was written and produced with a host of musicians, including D.A Got That Dope, LilJuMadeDaBeat, Juicy J, J. White Did It, and Scott Storch.
Soberish is the seventh studio album from American singer, Liz Phair. It is her first studio album in close to eleven years since 2010's Funstyle and was preceded by five singles: "Good Side", "Hey Lou", "Spanish Doors", "In There", and "The Game". The album was released on June 4, 2021, and is produced by Brad Wood.
Second Line is the sixth studio album by American singer-songwriter Dawn Richard. It was released on April 30, 2021 through Merge Records. The title refers to the parade tradition of the same name practiced in Richard's hometown of New Orleans.
Home Video is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus. It was released on June 25, 2021, via Matador. It was promoted by the singles "Thumbs", "Hot & Heavy", "VBS", "Brando", and "Going Going Gone". The album received critical acclaim and placed on many critics' year-end lists.
Nine is the fifth studio album by the British rhythm and blues collective Sault, released on 25 June 2021 on Forever Living Originals. Produced by Inflo, the album was only available on streaming services and as a digital download for 99 days, until 2 October 2021. The album received widespread critical acclaim, appearing on several end-of-year lists and received praise for its diversity of musical genres and styles as well as the lyrics' exploration of the urban black experience.
Blue Rev is the third studio album by Canadian indie pop band Alvvays, released on October 7, 2022, via Polyvinyl, Transgressive, and Celsius Girls. The album expands on the shoegaze influences from their previous albums, and received universal acclaim from critics.
Water Made Us is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter and poet Jamila Woods. It was released on October 13, 2023, through Jagjaguwar.