Release Date: 14 March 2025
Song Count: 10
Duration: 36 minutes, 39 seconds
Rating: 7.0/10
Description:
Song Count: 10
Duration: 36 minutes, 39 seconds
Rating: 7.0/10
Description:
Almost twenty years ago, back in 2001, a pair of brothers along with a friend of theirs formed a post-punk band, later by the name of BAMBARA, inspired by a character of the same name from a show they liked. Since that point, they have released five full-length albums along with heaps of separate music and EP content, and what you see here today is their most recent stop on their metaphorical ride, Birthmarks, from last year. Known for their stylistic use of droning noise integrated into shadowed gothic rock, this newest record acts as the most modern evolution of their well-trodden sound and practically a purposefully built gateway into their musical world.
The baritone singing of Reid Bateh echoes through as a consistent force across the set of tracks, but in the grand scheme of things is merely one of many layers of aural stimulation inserted in, as is every other individual asset making up the composition. The rock music setup, reminiscent of the style of many classic gothic acts from way back when, presents itself as polished whilst also being the primary driving force behind the backdrops and melodies, whilst minor electronic enhancements act like stripes of modestly saturated lights amidst a natural darkness. Whilst introspective and even melancholic in nature, any atmospheric elements fall more into the territory of calm and steady comfort than outright raw grief, as if representing the afterglow and sanded down feeling that often succeeds the strong negativity taking over oneself at key moments.
In spite of not coming forth with anything we have yet to see musically, BAMBARA's strengths as a band really shine through with their newest work, being introduced in a way that is both broad enough in scope to appeal to more than just a more niche post-punk audience and yet still retains their core and identity to its fullest. Making full use of the particular effect that calling back to old-school examples of the subgenre radiates, Birthmarks is classy and detached yet simultaneously touching in a peculiar way that draws one in, especially with repeated exposure to the contents. A fascinating result from a trio with a lot of ambition to recognise and the means to chase their set aims.