People usually respond to the human element of music; a relatable lyric, an evocative melody, something familiar. We like to have our lives affirmed, I guess. What has always drawn me to 'independent' music is that possibility of connection through imperfection. I like when I can hear a process happening, when I can tell that a conscious, emotional person was behind the noise. That human rawness was what drew me to Afrirampo's self-titled EP. They had blended the reckless abandon of rock with a keen sense of melody, something which sounds common in writing, but isn't so easy to pull off on tape. The duo were also attractive and Japanese... which is never a bad thing. A year later, I honestly expected their first proper full-length to expand their song craft and play down the intensity, maybe with the addition of keyboard and more lean vocal harmonies. Well, shame on me for trying to predict the workings of a truly independent band.
Kore Ga Mayaku Da is unflinchingly raw and incredibly evocative; a thrilling representation of a band devoid of restrain and responsibility. The fact that the members, Oni and Pikachu, are randomly naked all over their album sleeve is immediately telling of their reckless aesthetic. Comparisons to early Boredoms is inevitable, if only because of the sheer chaotic energy that their music shares. Yet Afrirampo's music flows more like a live jam, with the girls constantly trading off aleatoric vocal lines, often yelling completely different Japanese phrases over top of each other. Tonally, nothing too original is going on. But its not about that, clearly. In the spirit of early punk, Kore Ga is all about the performance, about the energy of two musicians interacting, screaming their fucking brains out. Don't let the clatter mislead you, though. There are several quiet passages and quite a few bubbly vocal deliveries in addition to the freak outs. But it's all very seamless. It's also probably their live set on tape, but who cares?
Rarely have I heard a collection of songs so bereaved of pretension. While Afrirampo are undoubtedly aware of their audience, hearing nonsensical chants like "BOOKA BOOKA BOOKA BOOKA!" or my personal favorite, "I WANT GOOD FOOD... I WANT GOOD FOOD TOO!" makes it clear that Oni and Pikachu are only here to have fun. And maybe rock out while they're at it. It's nice to hear experimental music sound so genuine.
1. I Did Are
2. O
3. Kairaku Do Re Mi
4. Want You
5. I Am Bird
6. Pekkopa In Brooklyn
7. Nakimushikemushi Good Bye!
8. Kui! Kui!
9. On Ska To Paar Ya
10. Hadaka
11. Matane
More about: Afrirampo
