Binki “Antennae” Review
Baraka Ongeri, otherwise known by his stage name, Binki, is a New York based artist who got his start in 2018. Since then, he has released two EPs and a number of singles that have received notable success in the indie music scene. His most recent EP, “Antennae,” totals 6 songs, bringing to listeners 14 minutes of groovy bass lines and lyrics that throw a punch.
“Freakin” kicks off the EP with an infectious hook of a drum beat followed by strong vocals, and a funky bass line. Binki has an incredible way of crafting songs so that they won't leave your head for days on end and this track epitomizes that. Its catchiness will have you singing along by the end of the tune. Contrary to the song's upbeat groove, its lyrics communicate a different theme. In the chorus, Bikini sings:
“I’m freakin’
Shorty said I don’t know when I’m leavin’
Can you hold my head can’t control when I’m beepin’
Why you gotta go no you always leave me”
As I listened to these, I imagined Binki being led astray by someone who he wants to be with. It is this type of writing style that I love as a sad situation is turned into something that makes you want to get up and dance.
The next song on the EP, “Hotel Window,” similarly has lyrics that seem to plead someone for love and affection. He says things like “Don’t string me along, I will never leave; I got nothing up my sleeve” and “I’ll dig your foot inside my head, I wish you wouldn’t twist.” I find these desolate lyrics ironic when paired with the instrumentation that makes you quite literally want to twist.
Binki is no stranger to using elements in his songs that make them stand out. You’ll know what I mean after listening to “Rocket Ship,” in which the song starts out with washboard percussion and pluck-like synth notes to back it. This is the shortest song on the EP, just under two minutes long. It is perfectly catchy without being too repetitive and serves as a wonderful transition into the next song on the EP called “Holy Moly.”
“Holy Moly” begins with a chaotic downfall of guitar chords that really do make you think holy moly. A common theme in “Antennae” is the repetitive bass/synth/guitar chords, in which listeners can’t help but nod their head along to the beat. Listening to this EP, I found myself dancing like one of the characters in the Charlie Brown peanuts gang.
My favorite song by far on “Antennae” is the fifth track called “Origami.” This tune really sticks out to me because of how different it feels and sounds in comparison to the others. The beat is a bit slower and begins with a synth that has more of a melancholic feel to it, a major switch up from the beep boppy feel that the rest of the album provides. Unlike the other songs on the EP, Origami’s lyrics tend to match the sound that is paired with them: dragged out, slowed down, and full of passion. This is the track that really made me get a sense of this project's despairing lyrical themes. He sings “You can have it in the palm of your hand; Origami; I’ll fold up.” These lyrics really stuck with me and I can easily say that this is Binki’s most powerful track on the EP.
The album wraps up with a song called “Doomsday.” This track is a great blend of being catchy and up-beat but also a bit more slowed down and sad. The song starts with some light synth-like guitar chords, which is still super on brand thus far for Binki’s sound. A song that you can both dance and cry to, it functions well to close out the EP.
Binki seems to have created a formula that really works for him without becoming too repetitive. A common combination in his discography consists of a moderately fast beat, synth and guitar. Although Binki is not the first to use this combo, he sticks out with a strong voice that permeates listeners’ ears. His lyrics are sung with such punctuation as if all of them end with a period. His voice is uniquely his and one that I find hard to compare to others.
“Antennae” is out now and available on all streaming platforms. Follow Binki on Instagram (@binkistinks) to stay up to date with new music!