The diversity of musical genres and the pursuit of self-expression define the path of Arlo Enemark, known by his stage name Watermelon Boy. The Watermelon Boy project marked a new phase in his career and a desire to explore new territories in the world of electronic music.
His passion for electronic music began in his youth when he first encountered the genre at the age of 14. During his teenage years, his interests expanded to include metal and industrial, leading to his participation in several bands. However, his love for electronic music persisted, and he decided to focus entirely on his project Smile On Impact. Despite his active work and release of singles, the project did not gain significant recognition.
Photo by Karin Locke
But with Watermelon Boy, things took a different turn. In 2016, he released two consecutive EPs, and in 2017, he released a retrospective mixtape that caught the public’s attention. In 2019, Arlo began to broaden his horizons by collaborating with vocalists from various cultures and musical backgrounds. This collaboration culminated in Watermelon Boy’s debut album, “101 Tropical Hits from Cosmic Space.” Inspired by the Australian sounds of artists like Flume and What So Not, as well as DJing in the moombahton style, he began combining the slow rhythms of moombahton with hazy synthesizers and fast arpeggios.
This fusion led to the creation of his second album, “The Wow Signal,” released on August 1. The album encompasses a synthesis of captivating performances and rich-textured jams, bringing together the musical traditions of Ghana, Fiji, Chile, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, India, and Jamaica.
In the album’s first track, “Outside,” the dreamy saxophone and Afrobeat rhythms, combined with various sound effects, evoked vast savanna landscapes in my imagination. The saxophone blended so harmoniously with the overall rhythm of electronic music that it seemed predestined. Arlo Enemark clearly knew what he wanted when he chose this track – it was a decisive choice that defined the entire album.
“Memories,” the second track on the album, transported me to tropical islands with its gentle waves. The shimmering synthesizers, perfectly calibrated rhythms, exquisite play, and light, precise vocals created a feeling of weightlessness. By combining various cultures and genres, Arlo creates a sound world where each track, while maintaining the overall spirit of the album, stands as an independent statement. “Glistening Sand” stands out among the other tracks with its original musical approach. There’s more boldness in experimenting with sound, and the rhythm section is more soothing, bringing a blissful state conducive to relaxation. The wide range of elements Arlo uses is striking: Afrobeat, hip-hop, urban music, and moombahton, all masterfully blended to create something unique. This uniqueness is evident in the track “Famimora” – its dynamism gives the impression of improvisation, but upon closer listening, it becomes clear that the entire track is meticulously crafted.
Photo by Karin Locke
The album “The Wow Signal” represents a perfect balance of music and lyrics, adding a touch of magic to Watermelon Boy’s electronic world, but not so much as to distract from the musical essence of the album. “Hall Of Fame” is a track that can be described as an R&B waltz. A distinctive feature of this track is the vocals, which sound somewhat distant, like an echo, enhancing the sense of a live performance. The genres Arlo uses have a long history and originate from various cultures, and in each of his tracks, you can hear unique characteristics that set them apart from one another. This diversity of musical styles and cultural influences is evident in the track “Stand Up.” It exemplifies how different styles and cultures can come together to create something eclectic and exciting. The ethnic rhythms and melodies in “Stand Up” blend with modern electronic arrangements, creating an innovative sound that feels both new and familiar. The music Arlo offers radiates incredible energy.
The track “Du Papa” also stands out. Energetic rhythms, sounds of tropical birds, and heavier electronic music transport my imagination to the exotic world of Brazilian jungles. In this track, nature and modern technology merge in a harmonious dance of sounds.
The album concludes with “Cheap Drinks & Bad Decisions,” an exciting mix of styles. It sounds more contemporary, which can be seen as the culmination of Arlo’s creative explorations in this project. “The Wow Signal” is an exploration of cultures viewed through Arlo Enemark’s personal journey. His experiment with sound in this album is highly successful. It is a meticulously curated collection by Arlo Enemark, with production quality, imagination, and breadth of collaboration, as well as the excellent performance of his collaborators, revealing new facets of sound with each listen. I recommend this album to anyone seeking new musical discoveries.
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