Animanz Exotic Other

Forging influences as diverse as funk, psychedelic rock, latin and electronica is never an easy feat, but ‘Exotic Other’ proves that this are band are more than up to the task.

‘Exotic Other’ is the debut album from London-based four-piece Animanz and Argentinian and Congolese vocalist Juanita Euka. Featuring nine infectious funk-infused tracks, the album is a dynamic journey through rocking exotica. Flavours from rhumba, cumbia and merengue to the punk attitude and electro energy of the club-funk sound of title track “Exotic Other” represent the fast-paced and diverse nature of their home of London.

Started as a collaborative project between childhood friends Max Rodriguez (guitar), Joshua Brandler (bass), Marc Goymour (keys) and Andrea Gucel (drums), Animanz was formed in 2013 when they threw themselves out into London’s multi-layered music scene. Since then the band have grown to encompass a genre smashing collective which welcomes guest performers from all over the world, and the musicians they’ve met along this varied path have provided the band with a vehicle to help them develop their multitextured approach to rhythm.

Animanz explain: “We write party tunes, so the groove and energy are the most important things. Everything else just fits around that.” The album is also very conscientious, and finds itself rooted deeply within our times, like London it is music to both get lost in and inspired by what the band call “a melting pot, an all-inclusive party for everyone”.

Inspired by the relationship between afrobeat and protest which Fela Kuti epitomised, Animanz use emblems of modern technology to theorise a systemised digital world. Tracks like “TV” and “Disconnect” deal with television screens and Wi-Fi as their subject matter, while “Speak Out” is a ballad to those who complain about politics but do nothing to implement change. “There are plenty of modern frustrations within the ever-changing world of technology” Animanz tell us. As a whole, ‘Exotic Other’ stands as a funk manifesto for the people, a shout to wake up and thrive.