Wales is often referred to as “the land of song”. When thinking of famous Welsh musicians and bands, you are stereotypically drawn to classical songbirds like Katherine Jenkins, rock bands such as Stereophonics and Manic Street Preachers, or the ultimate iconic performers such as Dame Shirley Bassey and Sir Tom Jones. However, there’s a new Welsh band on the scene who are about to smash up your perception of music, and girlbands, for good.
Baby Queens are an all-female five-piece band, made up of Cara, Estelle, Monique, Ruth and Vanity. We recently introduced you to the band, who are already breaking girlband boundaries with their slick production, nostalgic vibes, and fusion of edgy RnB, pop, rock and reggae. Drawing comparisons to iconic artists such as TLC, Massive Attack and En Vogue, Baby Queens have a lot to live up to. However, their debut self-titled album (released today – October 28) stands tall amongst these musical giants, proving that this girlband is here to stay.
Produced by Super Furry Animal’s Cian Ciaran, Baby Queens is a carefully woven mix of twelve songs, each saturated with classic soul and RnB beats. The girls, who self-penned the album too, have delivered a melodic fusion, combined with some glorious harmonies, which truly highlight their intentions as a band. Baby Queens have been influenced by a wide variety of artists, and these influences come across heavily during the album. From the first listen, it is clear to see what kind of artists they want to be – they’re a band with good intentions, and melody and beats in their hearts.
Baby Queens kick off their self-titled debut album with lead single ‘Tired Of Love’, a slick mix of RnB, rock and goosebump-inducing harmonies. Not only is it the perfect introduction to the five feisty females, it also sets the vibe for the rest of the album.
Previously released ‘Melodi’ is next, which automatically captures your attention with its old-school motown vibes. We love the laid-back element to the track, as well as those on point harmonies again. ‘Had My Heart’ is another chilled track, but comes across much darker. The contrast between the girls’ vocals, including a short rap section, adds to the mysterious vibe throughout the song. Near the end of the song, there is a twist as the tempo is slowed right down before we get to hear a rockier edge. It’s one of the songs on the album which best represents the fusion that is Baby Queens.
The next song is ‘Hear Me’, which is more uptempo. ‘Hear Me’ combines rock element with synth, creating an overall trippy effect. It leads onto the soul-heavy ‘You And I’, which once again oozes delightful harmonies as well as RnB sounds. ‘By The River’, in contrast, is an acoustic-tinged anthem, with underlying rocky tones. The acoustic element to the track allows the girls’ stunning vocals to shine even more.
‘It Feels Like’ is an uplifting and upbeat offering from Baby Queens, combining RnB with guitar vibes once again. It’s catchy, without being in your face, and we’re sure you’ll find yourself having a little jam to the song. The fusion of sounds continue with ‘Forever’, which has a slight reggae feel to it. The track also carries a hypnotic beat which is sure to mesmerise any listener. ‘Spiritualize’ also carries a spellbinding beat during the verses, however, there is also a heavy guitar sound which gives the track an edgier feel.
The tenth track on the album is ‘Unite’, Baby Queens’ upcoming single which is about infinite true love. The vocals are compelling, and once again, the girls have created a true blend of styles. The five-minute track takes us on a musical journey of its own, with acoustic elements, RnB, rock, as well as varying tempos. It’s a track that certainly keeps you guessing until the end.
‘Red Light’ serves as the album’s penultimate track, and was actually their viral breakthrough hit. It’s not hard to see why, as it defines what Baby Queens’ music is about. There’s spoken word/rap and a fusion of different styles, which truly represent the kind of music the girl band want to be known for. The album’s final track is ‘Samsara’, which brings the record to a dreamy, soulful end. It ties together the musical journey that the Baby Queens have taken us on quite nicely.
Unlike a lot of albums, Baby Queens’ debut offering is solid in terms of demonstrating their sound. There are no filler tracks, as each of the twelve songs has a place in strengthening the unique fusion created by the five-piece. A sign of a good album is being able to listen to and enjoy each track in its entirety – there’s certainly nothing to fast-forward through here.
We’re pretty certain that Baby Queens are well on their way to smashing your preconceived ideas of music from Wales, and girlbands in general. The five-piece have created their own unique sound, and with their slick vibes and passion, the future is certainly looking bright for the girls.
If you want to read more about Baby Queens, check out our recent interview with the fierce five.