Amaarae, an angel in disguise, at House of Blues.
Following the success of her phenomenal sophomore album, Amaarae’s performance demands your attention on the stage of the Fountain Baby Tour.
taken by Dawn Heatherly.
Fountain Baby had an indisputable hold over my 2023. Between tracks like “Princess Going Digital” (pulled straight from a Y2K nightclub) or “Sociopathic Dance Queen” (a brightly-colored bop juxtaposed by its darker lyrics), it was a challenge for me to not add Amaarae to all of my summer playlists. Aside from conquering my Spotify streams though, Amaarae also became a critical and commercial juggernaut with Fountain Baby. Between earning an 8.7 rating on Pitchfork, a 95/100 Metascore on Metacritic, and a place on Firebird’s own Top 20 Albums of 2023 List, it’s safe to say that Fountain Baby held a spot in the hearts of music listeners and reviewers across the globe. And after seeing the Ghanaian-American singer perform live at House of Blues, I can confidently say that Amaarae and Fountain Baby deserve all of the hype.
Before Amaarae arrived on stage, I was unsure of what the aesthetic would be for the Fountain Baby Tour. I was anticipating blue to match the water imagery and symbols that defined my perception of the album. Whatever my expectations were, Amaarae blew them away the moment she stepped onstage in a bright red latex dress with matching high-heeled boots. Amaarae is no stranger to falling for angels in disguise and giving in to beautiful temptations, so the most natural way for her to reflect this was by putting on an outfit that made her look hot as hell.
taken by Dawn Heatherly.
After I processed her stunning red outfit, Amaarae began singing the first full track off Fountain Baby, “Angels in Tibet.” This lavish song evokes a form of opulence that characterizes Fountain Baby as a whole, and after its performance, she effectively established the tone of the night as one of allure and extravagance. Following “Angels in Tibet” were the songs “Disguise” and “Wasted Eyes.” These two tracks explore an apprehension to being with her lover, underscored by her awareness of the dark side of the drugs, money, and fame that drive her desirous lifestyle. Starting off her show with these songs demonstrated not just her sonic versatility, but the nuanced themes and ruminations that define Fountain Baby as well.
The importance of guitar and rock in Fountain Baby also became apparent during Amaarae’s showstopping performance. The song “Sex, Violence, Suicide” starts off with Amaarae singing to her lover, as alluring as a siren. Lyrics like “Baby / if you choose to die tonight / I'd be right behind you” are met with a woeful acknowledgement of her lover’s problems, “I said the hills have eyes / Shawty, I do too / What's wrong with us?” This toxic romance (whether it’s Amaarae’s fault, her lover’s, or both of their’s) comes to a head by the song’s punk guitar shift and her transition to fierce, commanding lyrics. This pivot somehow became even more monumental live at the House of Blues. The whole audience was enveloped in her fierce character, jumping and chanting along to tumultuous lyrics like “If I can't get my way / Then you can't get your way.” The lyrics and instrumentation on tracks like these showcased Amaarae’s impressive versatility, both as an artist and a performer.
taken by Dawn Heatherly.
Another element of Fountain Baby that became more apparent in a live setting was Amaarae’s knack for constructing playful, poppy hits (evidenced by the iconic astrological guide lyrics on “Co-Star”). “Co-Star” plays on assumptions about different astrological signs, poking fun at each sign’s flaws with a chorus rooted in the astrological association between earth, fire, water, and air. Whether her lover is “Crazy like Aquarius” or going to “Tease [her] like a Taurus,” the song is undeniably fun, whether or not Amaarae compliments your own personal astrological sign. Plus, regardless of your big three, not much can beat shouting “Them Libra b****** horrible” alongside Amaarae herself.
Ultimately, Fountain Baby employs a mix of biblical and mythological imagery that pairs extremely well with Amaarae’s extravagant, artistic flair. Amaarae knows she is not an angel, but time and time again, she seems to be attracted to angels in disguise that flock to her extravagant lifestyle. In spite of all of this though, she frequently had moments at the show where she spoke on her gratitude towards the success of Fountain Baby. Whether she conveys an unmistakable confidence or plays into a coyish arrogance, Amaarae also carries an authentic humility towards the opportunities she’s been granted. This humility, paired with her incredible talents and her gratitude towards the audience/success, shows us that Amaarae is all the more deserving of her acclaim and her incredible career.
taken by Dawn Heatherly.
edited by Joseph Mooney, Editor-in-Chief.
photos by Dawn Heatherly.
usage permitted to Firebird Magazine & members for non-commercial Editorial & Social Media purposes.
