Amaarae is back with a new single and album announcement, sharing the second track from her forthcoming Fountain Baby with the release of “Co-Star.” The fiery new bop follows the sultry rhythmed “Reckless & Sweet” which arrived earlier this year, though luckily fans won’t have to wait much longer to hear the rest of her sophomore record, as it drops in a month on Jun. 9 via Interscope. The new track also comes with another stunning and alluring music video that sees Amaarae hosting a competition that features a who’s-who of globally iconic femme talent.
At its core “Co-Star” is a song created by Amaarae to play with the idea of star signs to create a playful summer banger. One that opens all twinkling and ethereal before blitzing forward, carried by this effervescent melody that combines frantic electronica with kinetically ravishing beats. The track becomes this breathless astrological roll call and never lets up or slows down.
There’s a stark contrast between “Co-Star” and “Reckless & Sweet” that signals the emotional vastness covered on the upcoming album, as well as the relative ease with which Amaarae now shifts between genres. Like the eclecticism of personality, aesthetics, and sexuality found within the new single’s music video — her sound has become this amalgamation of global influences. One that seamlessly weaves everything from Afrobeats and hip-hop with ecstatic dance pop.
The music video for “Co-Star,” directed by Lauren Dunn, wields the track as a kind of anthem for a group of female competitors. Evoking nostalgia for 90’s supermodel era fashion and aestheticism, the video sees Amaarae introducing each of the star-studded cast as they pose in front of a lineup of retro sports cars. As she cuts through the track with her euphonious trill the camera cuts between shots of the group and scenes of the cars burning rubber out on a course outside the studio. Dunn’s video finds a sublime intersection between the visual world-building built into Amaarae’s music and her prioritization of female empowerment.
“‘Co-Star’ is a fun song about star signs! I wanted to give people something cute and flirty for the summer!” Amaarae explained. “Astrology is such a huge part of our youth culture, it felt like a missed opportunity to not lean into that and give the girls an anthem that reads and celebrates them all at once! The video is amazing too! Having some of my favorite women in the whole wide world represent themselves in such an iconic way. The Clermont Twins are such an iconic duo. Also Biba! Deto! Moyo! Bijou & Chi are such a huge part of alternative African culture. These are the tastemakers of our time! It’s really so amazing to bring them all together.”
Fountain Baby the new album from Amaarae is out on Jun. 9.
Visit Amaarae on their website, Twitter, and Instagram to stay updated on new releases and tour announcements.
Words: Steven Ward
Watch the music video for “Co-Star” the new single from Amaarae below!
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