Black Star review – glamour, glitz and lust from a pop star who should be a supernova
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Black Star — Amaarae’s Dazzling New Chapter
A New Era Begins: Black Star Drops August 8
Black Star -American artist Amaarae is set to launch her third studio album, Black Star, on August 8, 2025, under Golden Child and Interscope Records .
From Fountain Baby to Black Star: A Bold Pivot
Coming off her critically acclaimed second album, Fountain Baby (2023), Amaarae elevates her sound with Black Star, venturing into lighter, club‑ready territory while preserving her artistic edge
A Sonic Fusion: Global Dance Pop Meets Afrobeats
Black Star sways between Afrobeats, house, EDM, trance, dembow, baile funk, and gqom—infusing vibrant, cosmopolitan flair into each track .
Themes of Desire: Love, Glamour, and Emotional Depth
Lyrically, Amaarae explores wealth, lust, and romance through a dreamy and more earnest lens than before, delivering an emotional core beneath the glitz
Unexpected Collaborations Add Star Power
Notable features include contributions from PinkPantheress and an eyebrow-raising appearance by Naomi Campbell, reinforcing the album’s bold, glamorous ethos
Glamour Meets Pop Ambition
With a sound tailor-made for elite nightclubs, Black Star channels revelrous energy, from the pulse of “Starkilla” to the lustful breakdown of “100DRUM”
Electro-Romance in Motion
Tracks like Fineshyt offer a softer, more vulnerable take on love, while Kiss Me Thru the Phone Pt. 2 (ft. PinkPantheress) blends nostalgic sentiment with modern hyperpop flair
Cultural Pride & Artistic Confidence
Named after Ghana’s national symbol, Black Star embodies identity, heritage, and the empowerment of Black artistry in a flashy yet meaningful way .
Visual & Aesthetic Depth
Across her visuals and sound, Amaarae balances opulence with self-expression—making Black Star not just an album, but a high‑fashion statement
Critical Momentum & Mainstream Breakthrough
While still niche, Black Star may be Amaarae’s most accessible record yet, with potential to elevate her global status from cult favorite to international pop figure
Album Preview: “S.M.O.” Blends Highlife & Club Bass
The lead single, “S.M.O.”, premiered in June a vibrant hybrid of Ghanaian ’80s highlife, Detroit club bass, and zouk. The video, directed by Omar Jones and filmed in Ghana, cements her fusion of heritage and futurism
Creative Roots: Confidence & Identity Inform the Album
Inspired by a renewed connection to Ghana, Amaarae says Black Star is borne from self-assurance and an artistic homecoming. She co-produced the album with Kyu Steed and worked with baile-funk producers in Brazil.
Omega’s Take: Club Brilliance Meets Cultural Pride
Black Star stakes its claim as a boundary breaking, high glam pop album deeply grounded in Black cultural roots. It’s bold, it’s playful and it could be the moment Amaarae ascends fully into pop stardom.
Quick Reference Note
Release Date: August 8, 2025
Genres: Afrobeats, house, EDM, funk, gqom
Notable Collaborators: PinkPantheress, Naomi Campbell
Themes: Glamour, love, identity, cultural pride
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