Review: Deradoorian – The Expanding Flower Planet

Deradoorian

The Expanding Flower Planet

Anticon

Street: 08.21

Deradoorian = tUnE-yArDs + St. Vincent

This debut album from Angel Deradoorian, former bassist of Dirty Projectors, is otherworldly without being too far out there to grasp. Her use of world-music-influenced beats juxtaposed with electronic keys and vocals makes for a bold, innovative sound. Deradoorian writes songs that are musically dissonant and uses echoing effects on her vocals to create a sense of aloof prowess, such as in “Violet Minded.” There are moments that feel like an electro-symphony in a bizarre yet intriguing way (“Komodo”) as well as moments that incorporate jungle sounds reminiscent of M.I.A. (“Beautiful Woman”). Despite being eclectic, to say the least, The Expanding Flower Planet is an enjoyable patchwork of an album, held together by Deradoorian’s commanding and lovely voice. –Kia McGinnis