Fountain Baby

Last updated

Fountain Baby
Fountain Baby cover.png
Studio album by
ReleasedJune 9, 2023
Genre
Length39:33
Label Interscope
Amaarae chronology
The Angel You Don't Know
(2020)
Fountain Baby
(2023)
Singles from Fountain Baby
  1. "Reckless & Sweet"
    Released: March 17, 2023
  2. "Co-Star"
    Released: May 3, 2023
  3. "Wasted Eyes"
    Released: June 9, 2023
  4. "Angels in Tibet"
    Released: March 13, 2024 [4]
  5. "Sweeeet"
    Released: June 24, 2024

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".

Contents

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 95/100 [5]
Review scores
SourceRating
And It Don't Stop A− [6]
Clash 9/10 [7]
The Daily Telegraph Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [8]
Exclaim! 8/10 [2]
NME Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [9]
The Observer Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [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]

Year-end lists

Select year-end rankings of Fountain Baby
PublicationListRankRef.
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

Track listing

Fountain Baby track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicProducer(s)Length
1."All My Love" 
  • Kyu Steed
  • Leonardo Dessi
  • Steed
  • Dessi
0:43
2."Angels in Tibet"
  • Amaarae
  • Noah Glassman
  • Ayodeji "Cracker Mallo" Olowu
  • Kwame "KZ Didit" Kwei-Armah
  • Steed
  • Amaarae
  • Cracker Mallo
  • KZ Didit
  • Steed
2:23
3."Co-Star"
  • Genfi
  • Tanner
  • Amaarae
  • Steed
  • Dessi
  • Oliver "Cadenza" Rodigan
  • Tanner
  • Kwei-Armah
  • Amaarae
  • Steed
  • Dessi
  • Oliver "Cadenza" Rodigan
  • KZ Didit
2:47
4."Princess Going Digital"
  • Genfi
  • Tanner
  • Amaarae
  • Steed
  • Tochi Bedford
  • Kwei-Armah
  • Amaarae
  • Bedford
  • Steed [a]
  • KZ Didit [a]
3:09
5."Big Steppa"
  • Genfi
  • Tanner
  • Amaarae
  • Dessi
  • Ed Thomas
  • Tom Levesque
  • Kwei-Armah
2:57
6."Reckless & Sweet"
  • Genfi
  • Tanner
  • Amaarae
  • Alex Goldblatt
  • Rodigan
  • Kwei-Armah
  • Amaarae
  • Goldblatt
  • Cadenza
  • KZ Didit
  • Yves Rothman [a]
2:40
7."Wasted Eyes"
2:29
8."Counterfeit"
  • Genfi
  • Tanner
  • Olujuwon Prudholme
  • Amaarae
  • KZ Didit
  • Steed
2:36
9."Disguise"
  • Genfi
  • Tanner
  • Amaarae
  • Steed
  • Olowu
  • Perman
  • Onuoha
  • Kwei-Armah
  • Amaarae
  • KZ Didit
  • Steed
  • Cracker Mallo
  • Rothman [a]
  • Stype [a]
2:50
10."Sex, Violence, Suicide"
  • Genfi
  • Tanner
  • Onuoha
  • Amaarae
  • Dream Wife
  • Geo Jordan
  • Bedford
  • Rothman [b]
4:13
11."Sociopathic Dance Queen"
  • Genfi
  • Tanner
  • Amaarae
  • Steed
  • Dessi
  • Kwei-Armah
  • Amaarae
  • Steed
  • Dessi
  • KZ Didit
  • Rothman
2:20
12."Aquamarie Luvs Ecstasy"Genfi
  • Amaarae
  • Levesque
  • Glassman
  • Rayan El-Hussein Goufar
  • Malik "Venna" Venner
  • Kwei-Armah
  • Amaarae
  • Steed
  • KZ Didit
  • Rothman
4:39
13."Water from Wine"
  • Genfi
  • Tanner
  • Amaarae
  • Steed
  • Olowu
  • Kwei-Armah
  • Amaarae
  • KZ Didit
  • Steed
  • Cracker Mallo
  • Cadenza [a]
2:36
14."Come Home to God"
  • Genfi
  • Tanner
  • Amaarae
  • Rothman
  • Christian Gregory
  • Michael "Quinn" Walford-Williams
  • Amaarae
  • Rothman
  • Gregory
3:20
Total length:39:33
Roses are Red, Tears are Blue — A Fountain Baby Extended Play track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Sweeeet"1:52
2."Wanted" (featuring Naomi Sharon)3:03
3."Jehovah Witness"2:17
4."Diamonds"2:37
5."This!"3:05
6."THUG (Truly Humble Under God)"3:53
7."Disguise" (Remix; featuring 6lack)2:51
Total length:51:11

Notes

Related Research Articles

<i>Funeral</i> (Arcade Fire album) 2004 studio album by Arcade Fire

Funeral is the debut studio album by Canadian indie rock band Arcade Fire, released on September 14, 2004 by Merge Records. Preliminary recordings for Funeral were made during the course of a week in August 2003 at the Hotel2Tango in Montreal, Quebec, and the recording was completed later that year all in an analogue recording format.

<i>This Is Happening</i> 2010 studio album by LCD Soundsystem

This Is Happening is the third studio album by American rock band LCD Soundsystem. It was released first on May 17, 2010, jointly through DFA and Virgin Records in the United States and Parlophone elsewhere. It was recorded over the course of 2009 and early 2010 in the Mansion recording studio in Los Angeles. The first single, "Pow Pow", was released in April 2010, with a music video directed by Spike Jonze. The album is dedicated to Jerry Fuchs (1974–2009), who performed drums live with the band on occasion, as well as having a big part in associated DFA acts.

<i>Maya</i> (M.I.A. album) 2010 studio album by M.I.A.

Maya is the third studio album by British recording artist M.I.A. It was released on 7 July 2010 through N.E.E.T. Recordings, XL and Interscope. Songwriting and production was primarily handled by M.I.A., Blaqstarr and Rusko. Producers Diplo and Switch, alongside M.I.A.'s brother Sugu, also worked on the album. Maya was mainly composed and recorded at M.I.A.'s house in Los Angeles. The album's tracks centre on the theme of information politics and are intended to evoke what M.I.A. called a "digital ruckus"; elements of industrial music were incorporated into M.I.A.'s sound for the first time upon its release. A deluxe edition was released simultaneously, featuring four new tracks.

<i>King of the Beach</i> (Wavves album) 2010 studio album by Wavves

King of the Beach is the third studio album by the American band Wavves. It was set to be released in the USA by Fat Possum Records and in the UK by Bella Union Records on August 3, 2010, but digital copies became available July 1 as a result of early leaks. Pitchfork placed it at number 50 on its list "The Top 50 Albums of 2010".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grimes</span> Canadian musician (born 1988)

Claire Elise Boucher, known professionally as Grimes, is a Canadian musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. 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.

<i>R.A.P. Music</i> 2012 studio album by Killer Mike

R.A.P. Music is the fifth studio album by American rapper Killer Mike. It was released through Williams Street Records on May 15, 2012. The "R.A.P." in the album's title is a backronym for "Rebellious African People". Production was handled by rapper and producer Jaime "El-P" Meline; the album was the first collaboration between Killer Mike and El-P, who would later form the critically acclaimed duo Run the Jewels. The album’s title is a reference to Ye’s record label G.O.O.D Music.

<i>Rips</i> (album) 2014 studio album by Ex Hex

Rips is the debut studio album by American indie rock band Ex Hex. It was released on October 7, 2014 by Merge Records.

<i>Eat Pray Thug</i> 2015 studio album by Heems

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)".

<i>Isolation</i> (Kali Uchis album) 2018 studio album by Kali Uchis

Isolation is the debut studio album by American singer Kali Uchis, released worldwide on April 6, 2018, through Rinse Recordings, Virgin EMI Records, and Universal Music Group. The album was supported by five singles: "Dead to Me", "Tyrant" featuring Jorja Smith, "Nuestro Planeta" featuring Reykon, "After the Storm" featuring Tyler, the Creator and Bootsy Collins, and "Just a Stranger" featuring Steve Lacy. The album was later certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amaarae</span> Ghanaian-American singer (born 1994)

Ama Serwah Genfi, formerly known as Petrah and currently known professionally as Amaarae, is an American-Ghanaian 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.

<i>Second Line</i> (album) 2021 studio album by Dawn Richard

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.

<i>Nine</i> (Sault album) 2021 studio album by Sault

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.

<i>Hold On Baby</i> 2022 studio album by King Princess

Hold On Baby is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter King Princess. It was released on July 29, 2022, through Zelig Records. The album was produced by Mark Ronson, Ethan Gruska, Aaron Dessner, Bryce Dessner, and Tobias Jesso Jr. Hold On Baby was preceded by four singles, including "Little Bother". A fifth single, "Let Us Die" was released alongside the album. The album received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised its production and instrumentals.

<i>Natural Brown Prom Queen</i> 2022 studio album by Sudan Archives

Natural Brown Prom Queen is the second album from Cincinnati-born singer-songwriter and violinist Brittney Parks under her stage name Sudan Archives. The album, released on September 9, 2022, by Stones Throw Records, received widespread acclaim from music critics, with many publications ranking it as one of the best albums of 2022.

<i>Pigments</i> (album) 2022 studio album by Dawn Richard and Spencer Zahn

Pigments is a collaborative studio album by experimental musicians Dawn Richard and Spencer Zahn, released by Merge Records on October 21, 2022. The album has received positive reviews from critics, writing that it has pushed Richard into new musical territory and that the composition successfully blends multiple musical genres and styles.

<i>Raven</i> (Kelela album) 2023 studio album by Kelela

Raven is the second studio album by American singer and songwriter Kelela. It was released on February 10, 2023, via Warp Records. It comes six years after the release of the singer-songwriter's debut album, Take Me Apart, which was lauded by critics as one of the best albums of 2017. A remix album, titled Rave:N, the Remixes, was released on February 9, 2024. In a press release, Kelela said Raven began as a reaction to feeling alone as a Black femme working within dance music, and described the album as an affirmation of that perspective. The album was supported by the singles "Washed Away", "Happy Ending", "On the Run", "Contact", and "Enough for Love".

<i>10,000 gecs</i> 2023 studio album by 100 gecs

10,000 gecs is the second studio album by American hyperpop duo 100 gecs, as well as their first release on a major label - Atlantic Records. It was released on March 17, 2023, through Dog Show and Atlantic after several delays and a 2021 promotional tour. The album is a follow-up to their debut album 1000 gecs (2019) and the remix album 1000 gecs and the Tree of Clues (2020). It was supported by the pre-release of three singles: "MeMeMe", "Doritos & Fritos", and "Hollywood Baby".

<i>Kaytraminé</i> 2023 studio album by Kaytraminé

Kaytraminé is the debut album by the duo of the same name, consisting of American rapper Aminé and Haitian-Canadian record producer Kaytranada. It was released on May 19, 2023, by CLBN, Kaytranada, and Venice Music, and features guest musicians Big Sean, Amaarae, Snoop Dogg, Freddie Gibbs, and Pharrell Williams. The album was nominated for Rap Album/EP of the Year at the 2024 Juno Awards.

<i>Water Made Us</i> 2023 studio album by Jamila Woods

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.

<i>Quantum Baby</i> 2024 studio album by Tinashe

Quantum Baby is the seventh studio album by American singer Tinashe and was released on August 16, 2024, via her independent label Tinashe Music and Nice Life Recording Company. Quantum Baby is the second installment of a planned album trilogy, following her 2023 album BB/Ang3l. It includes the hit single "Nasty".

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Shepherd, Julianne (June 12, 2023). "Amaarae: Fountain Baby Album Review". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on June 13, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  2. 1 2 Harmony, A. (June 8, 2023). "Amaarae Is a Clever Alchemist on Fountain Baby". Exclaim! . Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  3. "Album Review: Fountain Baby by Amaarae and the Spiritual Opulence of the Club". July 13, 2023. Archived from the original on April 5, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  4. "Amaarae - Angels in Tibet (Official Music Video)". YouTube . March 13, 2024. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  5. 1 2 "Fountain Baby by Amaarae Reviews on Metacritic". Metacritic . Archived from the original on June 14, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  6. 1 2 Christgau, Robert (August 11, 2023). "Consumer Guide: August, 2023" . And It Don't Stop. Archived from the original on August 11, 2023. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  7. Hussain, Shahzaib (June 13, 2023). "Amaarae – Fountain Baby review". Clash . Archived from the original on June 15, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  8. McCormick, Neil; Platt, Poppie; Grant, Kirsten. "Janelle Monáe gets physical, Niall Horan feels the weight of the world – the week's best albums" . The Daily Telegraph . Archived from the original on June 10, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  9. Yemi, Christine (June 9, 2023). "Amaarae – Fountain Baby review: electric anthems from a fearless cultural disruptor". NME . Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  10. Joshi, Tara (June 12, 2023). "Amaarae: Fountain Baby review – sexy, sparkling dream pop". The Observer . Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  11. Ngangura, Tarisai (June 12, 2023). "A review of Amaarae's second album: 'Fountain Baby'". NPR. Archived from the original on June 14, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  12. M. C. (September 1, 2023). "The Best Albums of 2023 So Far". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on September 3, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  13. Slant Staff (December 7, 2023). "The 50 Best Albums of 2023". Slant . Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  14. "The Line of Best Fit's Albums of the Year 2023". The Line of Best Fit . December 4, 2023. Archived from the original on December 19, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  15. Lindert, Hattie (December 5, 2023). "The 50 Best Albums of 2023". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on December 6, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  16. "NME's Best Albums of 2023". NME . December 8, 2023. Archived from the original on December 15, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  17. Petrusich, Amanda (December 4, 2023). "The Best Music of 2023". The New Yorker. ISSN   0028-792X. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  18. Ellwood, Maya. "The Top 50 Albums of the Year". Crack Magazine . Archived from the original on December 22, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  19. "The 100 Best Albums of 2023". Rolling Stone . November 30, 2023. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  20. "Exclaim!'s 50 Best Albums of 2023". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.