This EP starts off with "Sink". For one, the very silky, smooth production that starts this one off is absolutely lovely. It's got enough of a pop to it to remain catchy, but this quickly dissolves into the wild, colorful material that I wanted to hear from Sudan Archives. Gone is that, "ready-made for Urban Outfitters" sound, and it's replaced with some truly out there and experimental R&B. The beats are big, and I love how soulful the vocals are here. This one is actually really mind-bending all around, to the point where Sudan Archives sound like she can very easily go toe to toe with some of her contemporaries. And she just has so much swagger here, it's actually pretty nuts. I do have to say though, it's also inviting for such a dense sound. On the other hand "Nont For Sale" brings in some of the folk elements in those plucked Violins. But I think it actually adds a good amount of tension here. And don't even get me started on her performance here, it's just so confident and poetic. This one creeps along blending all sorts of genres that are tough to pinpoint. Also, that sort of glitchy production is literally just enough. Hearing her early work compared to this is just so refreshing. Hell, in her almost Rap verse she almost comes off like a young M.I.A. "Nont For Sale" is a seriously ear-grabbing tune that's nothing but a joy to listen to. On the other hand, "Pay Attention" is a little more stripped down and straightforward. And not only in an instrumental way, this track all around is just so much more digestible. And sadly, it's not as interesting. I think some of the focus on the World Music aspect of Sudan Archives is really cool, and I love how chilly and interesting the chorus is. But overall this is a fraction of how groundbreaking everything else has been so far.
Now, when it comes to "Mind Control" I immediately have to commend the production. Because these beats my friends are seriously mind-melting. But in cases like this track, I just really wish Sudan Archives' performances matched the colorful beat and production because they certainly were to start this EP off. But no, this doesn't come off nearly as interesting or groundbreaking. No, this honestly sounds like a cover, and it's OK at best. With "Beautiful Mistake", once again I do like the creeping atmosphere of this one and just how unnerving everything is. And once again, this track is actually packed with attitude. But while I'm more into her performance on this one, the production here is much more flimsy and not nearly what I was expecting. Everything so far has been so massive and colorful, this just takes me back to the sound of her debut EP, where I thought things sounded a little shallow. It's not terrible though. This EP ends off with "Escape", and I have to say I do think the violin playing really adds so much character to the music of Sudan Archives. It really takes the experimental sound she's going for and makes it even stand out further. I love just how quiet this one starts off and just how soulful she sounds on vocals. It's so quiet and tense that when that very abstract beat booms in and all of those World instrumentals as well, this becomes a real stunning moment. Compared to the very safe last few tracks, this is next level. "Escape" gets me instantly excited for whatever Sudan Archives has planned for the future.
Rating: 7.2/10
Genre: Art Pop / Alternative R&B / Experimental Pop
Overall Thoughts: This is a BIG step up for Sudan Archives. This project has gone from being tailor-made for Urban Outfitters to doing some legitimately experimental things. Obviously, this is a Stones Throw project so you know the production is airtight, and between the World Music influences and the heavy use of Violin Sudan Archives absolutely stand out. I just feel like this project needs to find a proper medium between the colorful production and the vocals here, which occasionally are overshadowed.
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