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Entertainment
The BPM offers a rich and erratic journey through the history of dance music.
The BPM offers a rich and erratic journey through the history of dance music.
My first encounter with Sudan Archives was through her track “Nont for Sale” from her debut EP Sink released in 2018, and I have been a devoted admirer ever since. With each release, she discovers new dimensions to shape her violin sound, bending it against conventional expectations.
Athena showcased her engaging dialogue with the instrument, keeping its tone mostly discernible and natural, while shifting from experimental pop to ambient textures. Natural Brown Prom Queen incorporated a collage of sound aesthetics, samples, and contemporary R&B, merging her violin with more distinctly electronic sounds. The BPM features recognizable violin segments but fully embraces the technological facets of Sudan Archives’ artistry.
The album kicks off with “Dead,” which starts with soft orchestral builds and a recognizable, processed violin. At the 1:30 mark, the rhythm hits — high-pitched vocal snippets weave through the stereo space, accompanied by a rolling synth bass putting the entire piece on the dance floor. This track acts as a kind of mission statement, with several segments examining the varied forms of Archives’ artistry as she queries, “Where my old self at? Where my nеw self at?” responding to herself with the chant “right here, right hеre.”
What ensues is a dynamic exploration of dance music, ranging from the steady funk of “My Type” to the cheeky trap-infused sex verses of “Ms. Pac Man” — even featuring an Irish jig in the midst of “She Got Pain.” Throughout the album, elements of autotune, drum and bass breaks, house piano riffs, techno synth bass, and soaring violin embellishments appear. Often, multiple styles coexist within a single song as Archives sidesteps conventional pop forms, joyfully transitioning from one genre to another.
Naturally, the pace of The BPM is considerably heightened in contrast to much of Archives’ prior work. However, it’s not exclusively filled with dance tracks. “Come and Find You” alludes to the 80s and early 90s R&B stylings reminiscent of artists like Sade. Frequently, the lyrics address emotional themes: “I found a way to reach you even when we’re out of sync, I’m gonna find my way back to you, Even when it’s challenging I embrace the push and pull,” she expresses on “David & Goliath.”
The BPM is a complex, frenetic album that delights in its unpredictability and musical fragments. It’s also my top album of 2025. Despite its mid-October release, it was my most played album according to my Apple Music Recap. Sudan Archives The BPM is accessible on Bandcamp and various streaming platforms, including Qobuz, Tidal, Apple Music, Deezer, YouTube Music, and Spotify.
