Cartoon-style lyrics, punk beats

«You hit me in the face / now I look like a disgrace,» says a justifiably furious Taranja Wu at the beginning of her second solo album, which is as stirring as it is entertaining Everything's a mess. But don’t worry—even the electro beat, which brooks no resistance, signals that this Basel native, forged from punk blood, flesh, and wit, won’t take a slap in the face lying down. Soon enough, she promises to scratch the other person’s eyes out, slam the door in their face, and tie them down to the bed really tight. You immediately believe she’d be perfectly capable of something that physical—and that makes you want to hit the dance floor all the more. Wu’s cartoonish lyrics—which are, on a metaphorical level, highly potent—are paired with punchy, punk-inspired beats and melodies that hark back to the deeply gritty sounds of the New York synth pioneers Suicide. Wu also demonstrates a familiarity with the electro-pop of Dead Or Alive and the Scandinavian gloom of The Knife.

Taranja Wu is no stranger to the scene: Until her far-too-early death in January 2020, she performed alongside former Aeronaut member Olifr M. Guz under the name Naked in English Class. Compared to her more delicately arranged solo debut, Everything's a mess More powerful, more urgent, and consistently geared toward energy. Wus’s talent for pairing snappy slogans with equally catchy tunes leads to standout moments like: «We’re a happy family / put the knife down» or «I’m messed up ‘cause you’re messed up / you’re messed up ‘cause she’s messed up…». And best of all: «I don’t want to be cute, but I do want you to remember me.».

Taranja Wu: All Messed Up. Flight 13 Records