The rabbit hole goes deep with Prince Rama, the apocalyptic pop trio comprised of sisters Taraka and Nimai Larson and Ryan Sciaino.
If their story is to be believed, the genesis of their latest album, Xtreme Now, occurred back in 2012. The Larson sisters transcended space-time while residing at a utopian black metal commune off the coast of Estonia, an experience that gave Taraka visions of medieval and future times where art and extreme sports coalesced, along with the cosmic challenge that Prince Rama were to produce its soundtrack. Hence, the album's cover features the Mona Lisa on leggings, while the band's name appears on motocross gear, visually representing that blend of cerebral craftsmanship and physical expression.
Importantly, while it's easy to lose oneself in the vast now-age academia and mythology of Prince Rama, it's easier than ever to get lost in their music on Xtreme Now. Working with producer Alex Epton of XXXChange (Björk, Spank Rock), this album contains the group's most varied and addictive output yet. "Slip into Nevermore" sounds like pixie drum and bass, "Believe in Something Fun" incorporates reggae flavour in its dance floor manifesto, "Would You Die to Be Adored" has a vintage electro-punk feel and the tubular bells and funky vibe of "Fantasy" give Blondie's "Rapture" a run for it money. It all taps deeply into different veins of pop, yet it's gloriously synergetic in the incredible world created by Prince Rama.
(Carpark Records)If their story is to be believed, the genesis of their latest album, Xtreme Now, occurred back in 2012. The Larson sisters transcended space-time while residing at a utopian black metal commune off the coast of Estonia, an experience that gave Taraka visions of medieval and future times where art and extreme sports coalesced, along with the cosmic challenge that Prince Rama were to produce its soundtrack. Hence, the album's cover features the Mona Lisa on leggings, while the band's name appears on motocross gear, visually representing that blend of cerebral craftsmanship and physical expression.
Importantly, while it's easy to lose oneself in the vast now-age academia and mythology of Prince Rama, it's easier than ever to get lost in their music on Xtreme Now. Working with producer Alex Epton of XXXChange (Björk, Spank Rock), this album contains the group's most varied and addictive output yet. "Slip into Nevermore" sounds like pixie drum and bass, "Believe in Something Fun" incorporates reggae flavour in its dance floor manifesto, "Would You Die to Be Adored" has a vintage electro-punk feel and the tubular bells and funky vibe of "Fantasy" give Blondie's "Rapture" a run for it money. It all taps deeply into different veins of pop, yet it's gloriously synergetic in the incredible world created by Prince Rama.