Electrik Red transforms girl power into something more extreme, a little dirty and well, electric in their album, How to be a Lady: Vol. 1.
Words by Brittney RobersonThe foursome known as Electrik Red has transformed girl power into something more extreme, a little dirty and well, electric. Kyndra “Binkie” Reevey, Lesley Lewis, Naomi Allen and Sarah Rosete started their careers in entertainment as background dancers. Allen and Rosete were both raised in Toronto, while Reevey and Lewis hail from New York City. The two sets of childhood friends eventually joined forces while working as background dancers for artists like Usher and Madonna. They soon discovered each other’s love for music and after shopping their demo around, they found chemistry with super producer The Dream and thus, Electrik Red was born.
Electrik Red’s debut, How to be a Lady: Vol. 1, is not for the faint of heart or men with big egos for that matter. “We F*ck You” boasts proudly, “You was like ‘Flash’ in the sheets/So fast I have to finish when you leave.” Ouch. Electrik Red is unapologetic even when they contradict themselves, on the opening track, Reevey raps, “I’m not a freak/I’m not a nasty hoe/Okay I’m lying but I’m classy though.” Its this unabashed attitude that makes the album; it even appears on softer tracks like “Blind” which explores a woman’s embarrassment and disappointment in herself after exposing a cheating boyfriend. But to Electrik Red its this willingness to show vulnerability, explore sexuality and still command respect that defines “a lady.”
How to be a Lady: Vol.1 is undoubtedly executively produced by The Dream and Tricky Stewart. Prepare to hear The Dream’s signature falsetto “ooh ooh oohs” and vocal drops of the quintessential club chant, “AYE!” in the background of almost every track. How to be a Lady: Vol. 1 definitely has some bangers but falls short in the vocal department. Naomi Allen leads most of the songs and frankly her chops are nothing impressive and Reevey’s “rapping” fails to distract listeners from the sub-par vocals.
Electrik Red’s debut is a solid one. It explores a new perspective in womanhood and rebels conventional gender roles. While Electrik Red comes out swinging on their debut, focusing on the redefinition of “a lady,” they have room to grow musically and now must prepare for an even more daunting task–allowing their individuality to shine through while redefining what it means to be a “girl group.”
