Krewella - New World Pt. 1

Krewella
New World: Pt. 1 EP
2017
Spotify

New World: Pt. 1 is another step in the new direction the Yousaf sisters have been on since leaving Columbia records seven years ago. Ammunition was the first time the sisters were creatively free and absent the pressure that a major label puts on their artists. It was the two celebrating their femininity, sexuality and heritage, something they were encouraged to abandon as their star rose and instead embrace a more vanilla attitude. It could have meant pop stardom, it could have meant fame and fortune, but that wasn't what they were after. You can see what Columbia saw in Krewella: edgy, beautiful, exotic and deeply entrenched in the early EDM scene they were tailormade for pop crossover, but in the end it wasn't what they wanted. you still get sniffs of that pop vibe like on "TH2C" (Too High 2 Care) which is catchy and bright but also just about loving weed. "Love OUtta Me" is also a straight up pop song in it's chorus but then the verses get some Pakistani inspired trap beats. The sisters shoutout their heritage multiple times on the EP something they were often encouraged not to do. The freedom has a special sense to these two, while it might not result in the most aggressive or challenging music it does feel like it is their own. However if a good pop song with a does of edginess is your jam than the Yousaf Sisters have you covered.

Here's the thing with Krewella, they never seem to push their sound far enough. They know how to write, they know how to produce but the results are always just slightly underwhelming. "Parachute" for example has this really great glitchy chorus and a really interesting vocal effect, but it ends there and becomes a song about trying to get over someone. The album is fun, but it lacks emotional depth. You want to buy in because the girls are so likable, but their songs don't make you fall in love. It's a fine record and a nice step in their on going journey, but I don't see this one blowing up the charts anytime soon.

6.1 out of 10