New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Out next Friday, February 8, "Drink The Water (Dub)/Drink The Water (Dr. Pudding Remix)" is the upcoming single from London-based three-piece Animanz and Congolese vocalist Juanita Euka. This pairing features two exciting new versions of the hypnotic "Drink The Water" taken from their debut album Exotic Other.
In "Drink The Water", Animanz playfully drench sleepy Cumbia rhythms and Juanita's cooing lyrics with reverb to create an eerie track that charms the listener. Demonstrating their aptitude for storytelling, the track's verses outline an internal battle against temptation whilst the chorus echoes a spooky call to drink the poisoned water. "Drink The Water (Dub)" was created when the band were playing around creating a live video which they filmed through water. In this version, spacey reverb and dub textures accentuate the zany guitar hook of the original to create a playful, genre-bending track.
In "Drink The Water (Dr. Pudding Remix)", Dr. Pudding applies complex layering to Juanita's vocals and adds an a cappella verse, bringing a crispness to the track, whilst immersing the audience in the repeated line "immerse yourself, come underneath". Dr. Pudding plays percussion in Animanz and recorded their album at his studio. Challenging himself to transform a track he holds a close connection with, he says; "The original was a dark, Cumbia soaked lament on the dangers of blind temptation. While my remix starts with a similar degree of trepidation and uncertainty, it ends with me cleansing the waters and taking this towards a joyful celebration of life and new beginnings."
Fronted by title track and follow up single "
Disconnect", Exotic Other boasts thirteen infectious tracks which make up a panoply of raw exotica, psychedelia and funk. The project has received print reviews from Songlines, DJ Mag andSoul Bag as well as radio support from Don Letts (BBC 6 Music), Guy Garvey (BBC 6 Music), Lopa Kothari (BBC
Radio 3), Tina Edwards (Worldwide FM), Tony Minvielle (Jazz FM), and Andrew Jervis (Bandcamp Weekly).
Started as a collaborative project between childhood friends Max Rodriguez (guitar), Joshua Brandler (bass) and Marc Goymour (keys), Animanz were formed in 2013. Since then, they have grown to encompass a genre-smashing collective whose live shows welcome performers from all over the world.
Instrumental to the band's sound, Animanz first met Juanita Euka in 2013, where they were mesmerised by her performance in Wara. The niece of legendary Congolese guitarist Franco Luambo, Juanita grew up between Argentina and London, sings in English, Spanish and French and belongs to the London Afrobeat Collective, bringing an eclectic set of influences to the bands unique style.
A testament to Animanz's ability to source party tunes from anywhere and everywhere, 'Exotic Other' unites flavours of rhumba, cumbia and merengue with a punk attitude and electro-funk energy. The band explains, "We write party tunes, so the groove and energy are the most important things.
Everything else just fits around that". Alongside this hedonistic sentiment, the album also reflects London's cultural geography with a conscientious narrative. Emblematic of the times, Animanz have created a sound which they define as "a melting pot; an all-inclusive party for everyone".
Having grown up listening to Tru Thoughts, Animanz are excited about having their debut album out on vinyl and are looking forward to incorporating their debut album into live sets across the UK and Europe.
