Arriving in the midst of a dreary winter, Watermelon Boy's 'The Wow Signal' is an album full to the brim with tracks beckoning for brighter, sun-soaked days.
Watermelon Boy has constructed an album of varied sonic inspirations, all largely around his trademark tropical electronica. It's a sound that is at once global, yet distinctly Australian.The Watermelon Boy project started in 2016 inspired by the Australian electronic sound explosion at the time. Taking as much inspiration in the formation of the project from those forging the Australian electronic sound (such as Flume, Slumberjack and LDRU) as more global influences (like the South African sound of Amapiano or Jamaican dancehall). These varied inspirations really come to the fore on 'The Wow Signal'.
'The Wow Signal' is an apt title for this collection of tracks as it is particularly impressive. It's an indication of good times to come. The album opens with 'Outside', which is a smooth beat with a boisterous Magajie spitting rhymes about his outsider status. It sets the scene well for a record that doesn't sit in any one genre and defies all pigeonholes one might assume about electronic music.
Moving from the club to the beach and back again throughout the album, 'Memories' opens with a literal splash as it mixes tropical house with elements of rave and Amapanio. The BPM lifts on this one as it builds and you can imagine the bodies moving on the dance floor, creating memories.
Littered with collaborations throughout, each song changes the mood as each guest vocalist takes their place. Fiji is somewhere Watermelon Boy has spent some time, and the sights and sounds of Fiji are very influential on the overall sound of this album.
This can particularly be heard on 'Cagi Mudre Vou', a track that Watermelon Boy describes as 'traditional Fiji meets future bass'. The track features Fijian language and a traditional Fijian log drum called a 'lali'.
'Gbona' has the soulful tones of Green Baker's vocals. Green Baker is from Nigeria and Watermelon Boy spent time with him while they were both in Ghana; it is the perfect sonic platform to play with Green Baker's vocal stylings.
While in Ghana, and continuing with the Afrobeat stylings, Watermelon Boy enlisted Bogo Blay with a unique vocal delivery on 'Mereba'. Bogo Blay and the beat that he's rapping over blast out into the stratosphere.
Green Baker returns for another guest feature on 'Spirit Of The Lagoon (Famimora)', which has a freaky, off-beat style and feels like the descent into the AM of a big night. After easing us in with some breezy tracks, it feels at this point of the record Watermelon Boy is upping the ante with each track.
A left turn is taken on 'Damn Son' with an isolated, fuzzy lead guitar starting off the track before turning back to the more familiar electronic elements. 2FISTD complements the beat with their half-rapping, half-singing style. It's a risk that pays off in spades, adding something extra and unique to the sonic mixture of 'The Wow Signal'.
'No Problems' feels wavy, like a wind-down after the hectic moments which have preceded it. BRYAN THE MENSAH brings some soulful tones to the track. BRYAN THE MENSAH backs it up on 'Hall Of Fame' and is joined by Jones 2.0, which has a smooth sound with a positive message. It really showcases Watermelon Boy's collaborative nature, as he provides the perfect platform for others to join him.
Jalmar shifts things again with tough-sounding vocals, taking things into a murky territory on 'Stand Up'. With a crunchy beat and Jalmar's voice, it's a nocturnal track – Watermelon Boy masterfully flips between tracks for the sun-soaked beach ad well as the dimly-lit, sweaty club.
Entering the fold is Richie Loop and Mark Dwyer on 'Break The Board', bringing with them a fresh and quirky take on dancehall with '90s fighting game samples that when mixed in with their vocals adds plenty of character, making it a memorable moment among many across the album.
Bringing it back to dance floor, 'Du Papa' is a wonky beat, with a strange vocal sample over the top. This track feels mind altering, so listen with caution, or throw caution to the wind as Watermelon Boy encourages a carefree, live-in-the-moment type feeling throughout the many varied and genre-defying sounds on this album.
The backend of the album – 'Du Papa', 'Outdoor Shower' and 'Cheap Drinks & Bad Decisions' are without vocal guests and feel like a reward for the listener – they're songs for the true beat heads and those that like to get lost in the moment.
Whether he enlists a multitude of guest collaborators or is carving out soundscapes on his own, Watermelon Boy creates the perfect sonic backdrop for good times to move your body to, across all the tracks on 'The Wow Signal'.
