BLACKSTARKIDS - "Whatever, Man"
BLACKSTARKIDS - “WHATEVER, MAN”
“I first heard from the group BLACKSTARKIDS back in March when my good friend Chloe Jacobson played a solo set on the same bill at house venue Parker 2. It was a very snowy evening and I was unable to make it to the show due to the bad weather. Since then, Kansas City experimental indie pop group BLACKSTARKIDS has taken off. The trio consisting of members Gabe, Ty, & Deiondre have been picked up by a national record label, written about by top bloggers, and featured on many many playlists. Already releasing a candidate for my album of the year list with their album Surf, the band is back at it with their second album this year with Whatever, Man via Dirty Hit Records on 10.29.20.
Whatever, Man kicks off with a guitar-driven dance ballad with the track “Acting Normal”. It takes you through the concerns of trying to conform to society's norms and choosing to not give a damn about them. You are then introduced to a skit of college DJ host Claire Mitchell of Newman University that will guide you track by track through the record. She introduces herself & then the next track “Dead Kennedy”, which hits with a hammering bassline and lyrics that emphasis on finding the joy in our everyday routines.
You get a softer sounding side of BLACKSTARKIDS with “Frankie Munez” that balances smooth synth sounds and lyrics of heartbreak. At the end of the track, our DJ Claire checks in to give some very basement show etiquette that we should all follow. “Tip the performers, ask pronouns, and stop leaving cigarettes on the ground” are guidelines that should be considered for every show from here on out in my eyes. “Cigarette” is another track from the group that presents itself in a softer sound introducing instrumentation such as a set of bells. The love/hate relationship that an addict has with cigarettes is related to the songwriter’s own relationship throughout the song.
The end of “Cigarette” leaves DJ Claire asking listeners to call in to share their opinions on friendship. The following track, called “Friendship” begins with a smooth beat accompanying a multitude of people calling in to dedicate this track to a special someone. “Britney Bitch” might be the most fun song off the album. Any kid from the late 90’s early 00’s will appreciate being able to sing along to wanting to “live life like Brittney BITCH”. At the end, DJ Claire shares the opinion that PDA and kissing on campus is “tacky & tasteless”.
“Tangerine Dream” is a masterful production of layer guitar parts that fit right in the pocket with the beat and care-free rapped vocals. Sitting in the positive feelings of youth, love, and music the chorus states “I want to feel this way forever”. This track is followed by a clip of two guys considering going to a BLACKSTARKIDS show only because they have nothing better to do. Almost as a response to this statement, the next track “Beatrix Kiddo” comes in with an aggressive upbeat and feisty tempo and lyricism such as “Fuck the cops. Fuck the system. So you think you’re so tough.”
“Camp Whatever” gives you a dreamy & breezy vibe of living your life like tonight could be your last. DJ Claire then gets shut down by a caller where she is informed that her show sucks. Then the final track “Let’s Play God” brings it all home with an anthemic banger about saying fuck it with vibes of early MGMT inspired synth sounds.
Whatever, Man is definitely a fun experience to listen to from top to bottom. From the coordinated radio skits to the diverse synth sounds, and the connected lyricism there is
something to dig about this record for everyone. You can tell that the trio of BLACKSTARKIDS put their time into the creation of this album and it was worth it. The fact that any artists are putting out two full-length releases in the same year during a pandemic is downright impressive and this band deserves all the credit it gets for their hard work this year. After what I have heard and how much I’ve enjoyed their releases this year, I know that after this pandemic is over I’d definitely be driving through the snow to catch them play a show in a basement.”
LISTEN NOW.
Review by ::
Shaun Crowley
Manor Founder
Manor Records gives 100% of article author rights to Shaun Crowley.