MTV Review: Lion Babe Are As Mesmerising As They Are Memorable At Scala, London
The New York duo bring their brand of soulfulness to North London…
You may have already heard their latest single ‘Wonder Woman’ being played all over Radio 1 recently, but that only scrapes the surface of up-and-coming duo Lion Babe.
Made up of outrageously cool New Yorkers Jillian Hervey and Lucas Goodman, the pair are currently in the process of taking over the UK with shows across the country.
Last night, Lion Babe brought their fresh brand of soulful R&B to London’s Scala, an intimate yet impressive venue that the band can already graduate from (the gig was sold out, natch).
As the show was likely an introduction to most in attendance last night, Jillian made sure to make an impression, and her stage presence is already a force to be reckoned with.
Yes, we could write essays about HOW. BLOODY. GORGEOUS she looked, rocking a crown-style headpiece and a gold embellished leotard, and don’t even get us started on her hair, but we will contain ourselves.
Instead, let’s just focus on how incredibly good the music was.
They looking at me, I don't mind
Now it is easy to walk on by
I don't want what you got, so you better move along
I ain't gonna break for that
I'm a Wonder Woman (watch out!)
I ain't gonna take all that
I'm a Wonder Woman (watch out)
That'll get you nowhere
You don't wanna see what happens when I get provoked
You don't wanna go there
See me spin around, see me swing my golden rope
Oh, I got power (Wonder Woman powers)
I see signs
They shouting "Honey, (Wonder Woman powers)
Watch your behind!"
They can't catch me (watch out, watch out)
'Cause I'm too strong
They all want what I got
Never leaving me alone
I ain't gonna break for that
I'm a Wonder Woman (watch out!)
I ain't gonna take all that
I'm a Wonder Woman (watch out)
You don't wanna go there
Trying to confuse me, say I need you when I know I don't
That'll get you nowhere
Go on and try me, you can't catch me, you just blowing smoke
Ooh, I think you playing games
Uh, this ain't no Cat woman
Uh, I think you playing games
I don't need a bad girl
Oh, I got power (Wonder Woman powers)
I see signs
They shouting "Honey, (Wonder Woman powers)
Watch your behind!"
They can't catch me (Wonder Woman powers)
'Cause I'm too strong
They all want what I got
Never leaving me alone
I ain't gonna break for that
I'm a Wonder Woman (watch out!)
I ain't gonna take all that
I'm a Wonder Woman (watch out)
Heeeyya, hey
There's no Wonder Women
I'm the Wonder Woman
While breakout hit ‘Treat Me Like Fire’ and Pharrell-produced single ‘Wonder Woman’ were obvious crowd-pleasers, the new songs got everyone bouncing along like they’d heard them for years.
Jillian’s voice ranges from alluring, mesmerising and ethereal all within the well-refined set, with Lucas’ attacks on the drum machine bringing a fresh sound to a show that’s filled with musical influences – special shout out to that unexpected Janis Joplin cover.
After wrapping up their UK dates with Seinabo Sey this week, Lion Babe make their return in July for Lovebox Festival.
And with their debut album expected later in the year, featuring the likes of Mark Ronson, Jeff Bhasker and Dave Sitek, we don’t think we’ll be able to call them up-and-comers for too long.
By Charlotte Warwick
Set List:
Intro
Whole
Jump Hi
Hold On
Wonder Woman
Don’t Break My Heart
Jungle Lady
Piece Of My Heart
Satisfy My Love
Where Do We Go
Stressed Out
Treat Me Like Fire
Tie me down, try to hold me up
But the wall ain't high enough
They play so hard
In a game so rough
But I still can't
Give it up
I'm out here on my own
Work but I got to get some
Run right into the sun
Ohhh (jump so high)
(So high)
I jump so high (so high)
I jump so high (so high)
I got it right (so high, high, high)
I jump so high (so high)
I jump so high (so high)
I got it right
Find your light
In the darkest sky
And the stars burn
Inside our eyes
Cutting through the haze
To our glory days
We won't give up
Never too late
I'm out here on my own
Work but I got to get some
Run right into the sun
Ohhh (jump so high)
(So high)
I jump so high (so high)
I jump so high (so high)
I got it right (so high, high, high)
I jump so high (so high)
I jump so high (so high)
I got it right
Yeah, we finally made it, you know they hate it, I swear to God
Knowing where you are made you into a star
Made you into the man, no one else like this
Before the house was a house, it was on my wrist
It's the island life, yeah mahalo bitch
Went from ashy to classy, I'm aloe rich
I stay Aloe Blacc, man, Bino back
Man he never left, I smoke loud, I'm deaf
Your smoke plead the fifth, I know the glory
They hate on your shine because they know the story
Thrown to the wolves but your drive so Mowgli
I could drive through the hood and them, boys, they know me
Is he one of the greatest? Time will tell
But time is relative, they assume the melanin
And they kill the culture, this might insult ya
White man can't jump, and I (jump so high)
I jump so high (so high)
I jump so high (so high)
I got it right (so high, high, high)
I jump so high (so high)
I jump so high (so high)
I got it right