Ghanaian-American singer Amaerae, who plays Afrobeat-infused R&B and dance music, released her third album, BLACK STAR, ostensibly a tribute to her homeland. The music is decidedly hip-house focused based on cerebral beats contrasting with her hushed, high-pitched and amorous vocal. There are several unusual interpolations of older pop songs across the record (most egregiously Cher’s Believe on She Is My Drug).
Stuck Up sets the new agenda with a distorted beat, metallic synth and an aggressive delivery (a la Azaelia Banks). However, several tracks don’t do much with the new sound compositionally, like the druggy club anthem, Starkilla and the latin trap Ms60. Pick Up The Phone featuring British singer PinkPantheress sounds like it belongs on a different album. B2B limps along on its beat until it switches to latin guitar after a couple minutes. The first track that stands out quality-wise is S.M.O. where the Brazilian ‘Baile Funk’ influences are more integrated and the choppy beat and woodwinds concoct a unique atmosphere. Next, Fineshyt is a curious mix of glossy trance synths and Afrobeat rhythm.
Too many tracks lack momentum or direction even if the stylistic change is fun.
Label: Interscope
Released: August 8, 2025
Losing my Edge Rating: 5/10
Best Tracks: S.M.O