The band weaves intricate guitar lines, hypnotic vocals, and driving post-punk rhythms into gorgeous, sprawling songs that skirt the line between the soundscapes of psychedelia and intimacy. The group has gone through many line-up changes, including actress Shannyn Sossamon and Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer.
In early 2009, their self-released debut EP "Exquisite Corpse" soared straight to #1 on legendary Los Angeles Amoeba Records’ local artists chart. By September 2009, Manimal Vinyl reissued it on CD and vinyl, complete with a new bonus track, ‘Krimson’. Mixed by John Frusciante (Red Hot Chili Peppers), the EP successfully captures the band’s sonic textures and playful dynamism that they’re notorious for creating in a live setting. With a buzz already in the air, Warpaint is now beginning to stir the masses with praise in the US and abroad. Dazed and Confused calls "Exquisite Corpse" "a collection of magical psychedelia drifting over sublime moments of raw melody courtesy of the three free ethereal vocalists,” while The Independent adds, “They make a quite lovely sound with dreamy vocals, off-kilter hazy guitars.”
On October 25, 2010, the band released their debut album, The Fool. The album received a glowing review in the NME. Prior to the album's release, the band contributed a cover of the David Bowie song "Ashes to Ashes" to We Were So Turned On, a Bowie tribute album released in conjunction with War Child.
"Shadows", the first single from their debut album, was released as a digital download and 12" vinyl on January 10, 2011. A remix of the single, "Shadows (Neon Lights Remix)", proved popular; managing to be playlisted by BBC Radio 1 as part of the In New Music We Trust.
Warpaint toured the United States and Europe in the spring and summer of 2011 to promote the album. They played at various major festivals including Bonnaroo, Glastonbury Festival, Reading and Leeds Festivals, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Rock Werchter and Electric Picnic.
In 2011, the rerelease of Undertow charted in the UK at number 92 and also in Australia at number 75. On September 25, 2011 they played the prestigious Hollywood Bowl (as a support act).
As early as 2011, drummer Stella Mozgawa, in an interview with NME, expressed the band's intention to "experiment and write with one another" as the current line-up had never composed songs "from the ground up" together. Bassist Jenny Lee Lindberg further indicated that most of the newer songs were written by "just jam[ming] and free-flow[ing] onstage".
In February 2013, Guitarist Theresa Wayman confirmed to NME that the band intended to create a minimalist sound on Warpaint, revealing that the band developed songs at soundchecks, and experimented more with acoustic guitars and percussion instruments on the album. Lead vocalist Emily Kokal noted that R&B and rap music was an influence on Warpaint and stated that on the album there are "things that have drum machines and ambience, music that's more than standard rock." Kokal added that the album is largely keys-based, which contributed to the overall sound being "definitely different" from the band's previous album The Fool (2010).
Produced by Flood and mixed by Nigel Godrich, Warpaint is due to be released in Germany, Ireland, Netherlands and Switzerland on January 17, 2014; January 20 in Denmark, France, Sweden and the United Kingdom; and January 21 in Spain and the United States on Rough Trade Records. A snippet of the album's lead single, "Love Is to Die", was featured in an advertisement for Calvin Klein on September 25, 2013 and later as part of a teaser for an upcoming documentary of the same name about the recording of Warpaint. The single was released on October 28 with the pre-ordered digital version of the album.
On November 20, Warpaint performed "Composure," from The Fool, as well as new songs "Love Is to Die" and "Keep It Healthy" on BBC 6 Music with Steve Lamacq in the United Kingdom. The next day, an article from the December 2013 issue of Dazed & Confused magazine appeared online, providing insight into the making of the new album, as well as the accompanying documentary, filmed by Jenny Lee Lindberg's husband and filmmaker, Chris Cunningham. Lindberg later confirmed in a November 24 interview on XFM that Cunningham's documentary would be made available shortly after the album's release.
www.warpaintwarpaint.com
Composure
Warpaint Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How can I keep my composure?
How can I keep my composure?
I turn my back and you got my shoulder
Release your mind, through your hands and your feet
A sigh digs you out when you're getting too deep
How can I keep my composure?
A sordid spot, a monster takeover
Living in shame's gonna haunt your sleep
How can I keep
How can I keep
How can I keep my composure?
Darling one
I am falling
And the words are gone
You are beyond
You are beyond
You are beyond
You are beyond
You are beyond
You are beyond
You are beyond
You are beyond
You are beyond
Darling one
I am falling
And the words are gone
You are beyond
You are beyond
At first glance, Warpaint's "Composure" seems to be a song primarily about the difficulties of maintaining composure in the face of challenging emotions. The repeated refrain of "How can I keep my composure?" suggests that the singer is feeling overwhelmed and struggling to maintain control. The second verse adds a layer of complexity to this theme, as the singer describes the way that shame can haunt the sleeping mind. The overall impression is that the singer is grappling with a difficult emotional state, and seeking ways to stay grounded.
However, the song takes a surprising turn in its final moments. As the singer recurs to the phrase "Darling one, I am falling," the lyrics shift to a very different tone. The repetition of the phrase "you are beyond" seems to suggest that the singer has encountered someone who is truly remarkable-- perhaps someone beyond their expectations or understanding. It's left unclear whether this person is an object of desire, a source of comfort, or simply a force of nature that the singer is observing. Either way, the shift in tone is striking and adds an unexpected layer of depth to the song.
In conclusion, "Composure" is a song that explores the difficulties of managing emotions, as well as the power of unexpected encounters to challenge our assumptions and transform our perspectives. The repeated refrain of "How can I keep my composure?" suggests the singer's struggle to maintain control, while the shift toward discussing someone who is "beyond" seems to suggest a moment of awe and wonder.
Line by Line Meaning
How can I keep my composure?
I am struggling to maintain my calm and not lose control of my emotions.
How can I keep my composure?
I am repeating this question because I still do not have an answer.
How can I keep my composure?
Even though I am getting frustrated, I know I need to keep asking myself this question.
I turn my back and you got my shoulder
I am trying to distance myself from someone who has hurt me, but they still have an impact on me.
Release your mind, through your hands and your feet
If you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed, try to express yourself through physical activities like dancing or art to help ease your mind.
A sigh digs you out when you're getting too deep
Taking a deep breath and letting out a sigh can help you feel calmer when you are starting to feel overwhelmed or anxious.
A sordid spot, a monster takeover
There is a dark and negative part of my past that is taking control of my thoughts and emotions.
Living in shame's gonna haunt your sleep
If I continue to feel ashamed and guilty about something, it will affect my thoughts and emotions even when I am trying to rest.
Darling one, I am falling
I am opening up to someone and admitting that I am struggling and need their support.
And the words are gone
I am having a difficult time expressing how I feel and putting my thoughts into words.
You are beyond
You are important to me and mean more than words can express.
You are beyond
Even though I am struggling, knowing you are there for me gives me strength.
You are beyond
You are so much more than just a person in my life - you are a source of comfort and support.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: THERESA BECKER-WAYMAN, EMILY CAMILLE KOKAL, JENNIFER LEE LINDBERG, STELLA ZOFIA MOZGAWA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brian Gallimore
It's weird how this is sonically better than the recorded version. The quality is superb.
stephanie henderson
This just makes you want a band... I love warpaint. They put you in another world.
Vic Pereira
I want a band too 😔
Elijah M Pendergrass
that bass is inhumane lord have mercy that was flawless
Mac Sixtyfive
the sound you are hearing is in the mixing and recording ... nothing special about the Bass playing.
C B
Are you really that insecure? She's an incredible bassist.
KingPinniped
Warpaint's bass sound is still dope on normal soundboard recordings of festivals where it doesn't receive any special attention. Probably on audience recordings too if they have anyone taping the shows with a nice microphone/preamp combo the way jam band shows do. But I'm not aware of anyone doing that.
Special techniques and clever bassline ideas aren't necessary to make a bassist fit well into their band.
latrans
I am absolutely awestruck. I'm dazed, trying to catch my breath. I feel like I just rode a giant wave. The propulsion she provides is just massive.
latrans
@C B Yeah, she's phenomenal. She's on another plane.
KingPinniped
Everyone is so honed in on the sound and performance that nobody really commented on the videography! Killer camera work + editing, really. Even when it goes out of focus a bit the effect fits well. (like it was intentional) The lighting behind Emily has this cool lens flare effect that makes her look a bit purple at some moments. Like 01:34-36. hahah
It took me ages to notice the cracked ride cymbal. I wouldn't have ever noticed it from the sound. It somehow fits though. RIP ride cymbal, you served most faithfully.