The Wow Signal: Exploring Watermelon Boy’s Groundbreaking New Album [Review]

From time to time, we encounter an emerging artist who we’re certain will make a significant impact on the music industry in the coming years. Watermelon Boy is one such name. This Australian artist has brought a unique approach to music-making by blending sounds from the global south with his Australian electronic style. The combination of complex rhythms, tuned percussion, and distinctive atmospheric sounds has introduced a fresh perspective to the world of electronic music.

Electronic music is arguably the genre that evolves most rapidly, and hearing these innovative sounds is a delight for any fan. Continuing his exploration of less-traveled paths in electronic music, Watermelon Boy has released his second album, “The Wow Signal.” It’s quite fascinating to learn that musicians from Ghana, Fiji, Chile, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, India, and Jamaica have collaborated on this album. Below, we present our in-depth review of the album:

1. Outside (with Magajie)

The opening track serves as a perfect introduction to the album. It begins with subtle organic instrumentation, including a Rhodes piano with a vibrant melody layered on top. The track then seamlessly transitions into a section where drums and rap vocals take center stage. If you’re a fan of Calvin Harris’ “Slide” featuring Frank Ocean and Migos, you’ll find this track right up your alley. The combination of Moombahton rhythms with Afro-influenced vocals and understated instrumentation makes for an intriguing listen.

Commenting on this introductory track, Watermelon Boy said: “Magajie added so much flow and character to this track. We both just loved that sax line over the snappy beat.“

2. Memories

Moving on to the next track, it opens with an acoustic guitar melody layered with crisp percussion, setting the mood. The vocal modulation is skillfully executed. Contrary to what you might expect from such an introduction, the track takes an unexpected turn with the introduction of a house beat. This creates a completely fresh and undeniably impressive sound. The bassline stood out as one of our favorite elements in this track.

During the breakdown, Watermelon Boy lets the groove speak for itself. As the second drop approaches, the vocals return, accompanied by a synth lead in the background, elevating the track’s energy to new heights. His ability to seamlessly blend two seemingly disparate styles within a single song is truly commendable.

3. Cagi Mudre Vou (with Bigwilz & Christonite Boginikua)

With this track, Watermelon Boy transports listeners to Fijian territory. Featuring vocals in the Fijian language and a traditional log drum called “lali,” “Cagi Mudre Vou” offers a refreshing experience for electronic music enthusiasts. Describing the track’s origin, Watermelon Boy shared, “When Chris showed me this track as a potential collaboration, I got chills. The vocal performance from BigWilz is just stunning, and I’m so proud of how this anthem turned out.“

For non-native speakers, the lyrics delve deep, speaking of a fresh sea breeze that evokes memories of an old love. The subtle fusion of Future Bass elements in the form of overlaying chords with ethnic Fijian rhythms and vocals creates a captivating listening experience.

4. Gbona (with Green Baker)

From the South Pacific, Watermelon Boy shifts his focus to explore the sounds of Africa with “Gbona.” It’s impressive to see how skillfully he draws parallels between the sounds of Fiji and Africa, as “Gbona” transitions smoothly from “Cagi Mudre Vou.” Amapiano, currently one of the world’s most trending genres, is featured here for good reason. The combination of the bassline, heavily panned ethnic percussion, and Green Baker’s vocals creates pure auditory bliss.

The fusion of romantic and soulful sounds with ethnic elements makes this track a must-have for your feel-good playlists. Watermelon Boy’s ability to seamlessly blend diverse cultural influences demonstrates his versatility as an artist and his keen ear for global sounds.

5. Glistening Sand

Continuing the Amapiano vibe, “Glistening Sand” lets the bassline and drums take center stage. It evokes the feeling of a sunset on a beautiful beach, even featuring samples from the famous blue stone beach in Flores, Indonesia. The subtle addition of vocals and synth elements perfectly fills the empty spaces. Despite its 4.5-minute duration, the track maintains plenty of movement to keep listeners engaged while simultaneously offering a sense of calmness that lightens the spirit.

6. Mereba (with Bogo Blay)

Watermelon Boy enlists Ghanaian vocalist Bogo Blay for this high-energy club banger. The track immediately kicks off with Bogo Blay’s vocals, instantly conveying the immense energy it possesses. The chorus is thoughtfully crafted, with the main vocal sound delivering a one-shot while differently processed vocals serve as the lead. The drop features a well-executed call and response, and the outro allows the drums and bassline to breathe on their own. This 2-minute 23-second piece is a masterpiece. Watermelon Boy comments: “When I showed him (Bogo Blay) this beat, he reacted with the same energy that he put into the vocal. The guy’s a genius, and you can hear it in his complex, clever, and precise delivery.”

7. Spirit of The Lagoon (Famimora) [with Green Baker]

Green Baker makes his second appearance on the album with “Famimora.” This track takes a slightly different approach while remaining well-connected to the album’s roots. It begins minimally before introducing a groovy bassline and a nicely articulated synth lead. The bassline is truly a show-stealer. Green Baker then makes his presence felt in the breakdown with an impressive vocal texture. What we loved most is how the track features minimal elements yet sounds fresh throughout its 3-minute 47-second duration.

8. No Problems (with BRYAN THE MENSAH)

This track, possibly our favorite from the album, begins with snappy percussion and vocal one-shots. BRYAN THE MENSAH’s vocals soon take center stage, accompanied by a standout bassline. The chords are nicely done throughout, making their presence felt in bits and pieces. It leans more towards pop than electronic music. Watermelon Boy keeps the track fresh by introducing new elements throughout. He comments, “This track stands out with its laid-back swag but in many ways captures the spirit of the album the best. It’s the kind of track that makes you want to recline in the sun before cooling off in the ocean.”

9. Hall of Fame (with BRYAN THE MENSAH & Jones 2.0)

Building on the vibe established in “No Problems,” BRYAN THE MENSAH returns on “Hall of Fame” alongside rapper Jones 2.0. The subtle instrumentation allows the vocals to shine. The vibey melodies in the background are pure ear candy and perfectly complement the mood set by the vocals. Bryan’s silky vocal texture combined with Jones’ electrifying verses create an intriguing track. It feels like a tribute to gratitude and making space for good times. This three-way collaboration across three continents is a must-have for feel-good playlists.

10. Damn Son (with 2FISTD)

Watermelon Boy takes a completely creative approach with this track, and it’s refreshingly unique. It starts with a fuzzy rock guitar lead, only to transition into a meaty, energetic drop superimposed with 2FISTD’s vocals. The syncopated bassline, along with subtle instrumentation, perfectly builds the energy for the track. 2FISTD’s vocal brings tremendous energy and dynamism to the composition.

11. Stand Up (with Jalmar)

As the album progresses, the energy levels continue to rise. Chilean vocalist Jalmar’s work on this track is exquisite. The drums adopt a slightly Moombahton-style rhythm but with a unique touch. The standout moment kicks in around the 1-minute 42-second mark, where super catchy vocal chops take center stage and seamlessly transition the song from one verse to another. It’s a powerful and defiant track.

12. Break That Board (with Richie Loop & Mark Dwyer)

Watermelon Boy collaborates with Richie Loop and Mark Dwyer for this energetic track. The beat is percussive and twerky, featuring fun 90s fighting game sound effects. Richie Loop brings his signature dancehall flavor to the vocals, while Mark Dwyer delivers a killer rap verse. It’s as if Watermelon Boy combined all his passions – tropical sounds, martial arts, and old-school gaming – into one awesome tune. This is a must-listen for fans of tropical club music.

13. Du Papa

This track pushes the boundaries of Watermelon Boy’s creativity, balancing abstraction with dancefloor-ready grooves. The drums and bassline create a unique rhythm rarely heard in modern music. Subtle vocals and synths are layered throughout, while speech-like vocals in the background evoke a sense of nostalgia. The track is a blend of wonky beats and mind-bending sounds.

14. Outdoor Shower

This track showcases possibly the best drum work on the album. Smooth, lush pads build a summer vibe while the drums drive the groove. Unlike most tracks on the album, this one doesn’t feature prominent vocals, aside from some vocal one-shots. It’s easy to imagine this track being a hit at a sunset beach party. Watermelon Boy shares, “I played it at Cloud9 in Fiji when it was still a draft last year and then again on my recent visit. This one makes you want to dive off the roof and into the clear blue reef.”

15. Cheap Drinks & Bad Decisions

The title of this track is particularly evocative, capturing a universally relatable moment. For the album’s finale, Watermelon Boy ensures he puts his best foot forward. Returning to his love for Amapiano, the track features an infectious groove and tropical elements. It’s the kind of track that would absolutely ignite a dark club at 5 am. The subtle addition of vocals elevates this already impressive composition to new heights.

This review was made possible by Submithub.