New Finds: Warpaint:

Warpaint - Exquisite Corpse (EP).

Exquisite Corpse is LA-based, experimental rock band Warpaint's debut EP, released on Manimal Vinyl. It features five songs and comes in at about thirty minutes in all. This album is clearly folk inspired but merges that inspiration with elements of dream pop and art rock to create a pleasantly atmospheric and haunting EP that I think most people would find unoffensive. Warpaint's talent is undeniable with acoustic oriented tracks like 'Billie Holiday' which feature adapted lyrics from Mary Well's 'My Guy' and fragile harmonies. In contrast to their softer songs, more chaotic and guitar oriented tracks like 'Beetles' show the broad nature of their music. Warpaint are an interesting find and I would recommend them to people who like musicians like Bat for lashes, Cat Power or CocoRosie. 3/5.

Warpaint - The Fool (Album).

The Fool is Warpaint's first full-length album released on Rough Trade Records and has brought international success and accreditation for the quartet. It is described by the band themselves as Exquisite Corpse's "older sister'' which I think is a fair and accurate representation of Warpaint's evolved sound. This album is a lot more clean-cut and polished then their previous EP and is lyrically stronger but still maintains the same sense of psychedelic dreaminess and mysticism that sets them apart from others. It contains nine songs and comes in a little under fifty minutes. The strongest tracks being 'Undertow' which has gained mainstream attention for it's infectious chorus, liberating lyrics and strategic use of overlaying vocals and angelic harmonies and 'Shadows'. Both of which are the singles off the album. 'Shadows' is a beautiful song characterized by it's etheral vocals over prominent drumming and occasional acoustic interludes. The only folly I have to pick with this album is it's placement of the song 'Set your arms apart' as the opening track, 'Set your arms apart' was the weakest song on the whole album, but I think it could of been better received between 'Undertow' and 'Bee's'. All in All, I thoroughly enjoyed the album. 4/5.