As part of Prince Rama, Taraka Larson favored a theatrical, otherworldly style that mixed multiple genres into something wonderfully fresh and unique. On her debut solo release, Taraka continues this approach, blending in new shades, forms, and techniques. Remarkably, Welcome to Paradise Lost is as bracing as anything from Prince Rama, and surprising in that it sounds little like that band throughout most of its running time.
While the title cut has a familiarity about it, "Ride or Die" and "Total Failure" are souped-up post-punk ravers, equal parts bis and Siouxsie. Larson wisely keeps things moving, and at such a pace that rarely does anything on Welcome to Paradise Lost overstay its welcome. The wildly-catchy "0010110", for example, has that DIY electronica-thing that the very earliest offerings from Ultra Vivid Scene had, while possessing a breathy energy that seems like Prince Rama and still more immediate. It's a superb cut, really, and a cousin to the slightly more conventional "So Happy for You", a Danielle Dax-like bit of business. On "Bad Bonezz", Taraka seems to have perfected her solo style, delivering yet another spry selection that's both garage pop and widescreen indie.
Welcome to Paradise Lost is out on Friday.
More details about Taraka via the official Facebook page.
[Photo: Matthew Hoffman]