Redstar Wu & the Worldwide Scourge: A Political Fury with Propulsive Fun
As an avid fan of music that challenges the status quo, I was immediately drawn to Genesis Owusu's latest album, Redstar Wu & the Worldwide Scourge. The album's title itself is a bold statement, and the music certainly lives up to its name. This is an album that doesn't shy away from tackling political issues, but it does so with a unique blend of genres and a propulsive energy that is hard to ignore.
What makes this album particularly fascinating is the way it navigates the complexities of the modern world. Owusu's lyrics are sharp and witty, addressing issues like billionaires, 'alt-right' hucksters, and casual racism with equal parts vehemence and humor. But it's the danceable tracks, like 'Life Keeps Going', that hint at the genre-hopping nature of the album. This is an artist who isn't afraid to experiment, and it shows in every track.
One thing that immediately stands out is the depth of feeling across the album. After the opening salvo of 'Pirate Radio' and 'Stampede', the record exhales into the sleazy, richly textured funk of 'Hellstar', with a rakish performance by Owusu-Ansah alongside a brief turn from US rapper Duckwrth. From there, it swings into the woozily romantic 'Falling Both Ways', featuring New Zealand indie-pop artist Ladyhawke, before the fiercely locked-in 'The Worldwide Scourge', where Owusu-Ansah raps breathlessly over a lurching beat about a world in collapse.
What many people don't realize is that the dialed-in fervor of Redstar Wu & the Worldwide Scourge is no accident. While 'Struggler' was made in the blur of global touring, its follow-up came together in a converted church in Wales with Owusu-Ansah's collaborator, producer, and songwriter Dann Hume. The intimacy of the setting is felt in the tightly wound propulsion and intricate detail of the production. Alongside the punky scuzz, the album carries a notable electronic undercurrent, including on the dreamily inorganic '4Life' and late-album standout 'Big Dog'.
In my opinion, Redstar Wu & the Worldwide Scourge is Owusu's best and most complete album to date. It emphasizes not so much his influences but his uniqueness within Australian music, channelling his lived experiences as a Black artist into unabashedly political songs that remain open, accessible, and outright fun. Personally, I think this album is a must-listen for anyone who wants to explore the intersection of music and politics. It's an album that challenges you to think, but it also makes you want to dance.
A detail that I find especially interesting is the way Owusu-Ansah's lyrics are both personal and universal. His experiences as a Black artist in Australia are woven into the fabric of the album, but the themes of anger, hope, and resilience are timeless. This is an artist who isn't afraid to speak truth to power, and it shows in every track.
If you take a step back and think about it, Redstar Wu & the Worldwide Scourge is an album that speaks to the unease of the present moment, but it also offers a glimmer of hope. Art, especially this raw and human, is itself a source of hope, and Owusu's music is a testament to that. So, if you're looking for an album that challenges you to think and makes you want to dance, Redstar Wu & the Worldwide Scourge is the perfect choice.
