ANDROGENISE (LP) - CARΔAMO (Techno Pop) With “ANDROGENISE”, CARΔAMO steps into the music scene with the freshest, most innovative and distinctive studio album we’ve heard this year. A triumph of musicality, uniqueness, independent thought, provocation and stylistic cohesiveness, we do not hesitate in saying that CARΔAMO is a talent to watch. It’s also mind boggling weird af—but like in a great way. We’ll go track by track, but let’s start with the bigger picture.
The 13-track LP (including 1 cover and 1 remix) is a sonic melting pot of styles, infused with distinctive flare while maintaining stylistic cohesion throughout the project. This is not a collection of songs, it is a holistic piece of musical art. It is also strange AF, and we love it for that, as the bizarre and often nostalgic lyrical content make for a memorable, impactful and engaging experience that certainly brought a few smiles to our faces during our listen.
The main genre here is techno pop, with EDM flair and the occasional R&B/Hiphop sensibility, all linked by theatrical and avant garde overtones. The production is impeccable, and relies heavily on vocal modulation and distortion, as well as an 8bit retro videogame soundscape that ties, but does not weigh down, the album. It’s thoughtfully infused throughout without making the tracks feel too similar. In fact, quite the opposite—each track feels very unique and distinguishable, and despite an overall eccentricity and unabashed explicitness, several tracks feel prime for Top 40, which we’ll note as we go along.
Title track “ANDRONGENISE” gives us “Born This Way” era Lady Gaga with a “Body Talk” Robyn infusion in not only sound, but also thoughtful content. CARΔAMO discusses body modification from many angles, not only its dangers and underlying insecurities but also its role as artistic expression and identity. But far from preachy, the track is a Top 40 anthem and undeniable club banger. The theme pivots slightly to gender expression—quite timely of a topic we do say—in “NBNBNBN”, which keeps a similar sonic soundscape (a little “Music” era Madonna here too) while making for the nonbinary anthem the world has been waiting for.
To us, “SCREAM ABOUT” pivots into later Britney territory—like if Will.I.Am had worked with her on “Toxic”—and is driven by a catchy chant. We should point out here that there is no production trick CARΔAMO will not play with. While each track feels fresh, there is definitely some homage being paid to the great pop influences.
And now we get to the Bjork of it all with the interlude-esque “sonic heroes is the basis of my moral compass.” Read that again. Yes, with samples from the Sonic the Hedgehog gameplay, CARΔAMO gives us a Nikki flow and…honestly we can’t even describe this one, but we guarantee you’ll repeat it to learn all the words because it’s bonkers in the best way possible.
Sensitive readers skip this paragraph. “DADDY TECHNO DREAM PUNK” is the soundtrack to a pornhub hypnosis video. It’s sexy, dirty and dangerous. Is a musical dungeon orgy.
“YAKUZA” and “BOP IT!” delve into some nostalgia, with the former delivering an 80s synth haze while evoking images of Kill Bill, as the latter tips a hat to the iconic child’s toy with a radio-firendly jam in the vein of Cardi B’s “I Like It.” That hiphop radio-friendly flare continues in “GIVE IT THE JOOS” which boasts a remarkable depth of production.
We’re back on bath salts in “frogs are more precious than diamonds” where CARΔAMO wishes they had a pet frog in a Robyn/Royksopp feeling track which is giving an Adult Swim TikTok vibe.
All the more strange is the final pivot from an ode to frogs to pure radio pop with “I COULD NEVR” and Owl City cover “FIREFLIES”. The latter takes CARΔAMO’s 8bit sensibility and gorgeous vocals of guest Kat Welch to give a slight twist to a well known track, while the former shows that CARΔAMO can write big pop hits all on their own with an incredibly catchy chorus and the heavenly lilt of guest 98 Poly. We consider the cover, and album closing remix to the title track—a sort of “sped up” mix—as bonus tracks with “I COULD NEVR” being the true finale of the project.
All in all, this LP is hyper modern, fresh, and does a great service as an introduction to what CARΔAMO has to offer as an artist. CARΔAMO delivers what many new artists do not—a specific and focused point of view—and that will constantly distinguish them from their peers. We will certainly be watching CARΔAMO’s ascent.