With an intro as chillingly beautiful as one could have hoped for, we were sold on Kairo in the first thirty seconds. While we would have been perfectly happy only enjoying the 2:00 minute intro to Sam Brookes upcoming LP, there’s a whole other world of exploration to delve into.
We’re all waiting for albums that timelessly populate our speakers for years to come. They need to have the dynamic ability to capture your heart and captivate your imagination. With absolutely stunning soundscapes providing an illustrious backdrop for Brooke’s ethereal vocals, we’re left hopelessly daydreaming, carrying away to a much more cerebral place. Varying from haunting tales, articulately told over subdued finger picking, to upbeat folk gems that induce irresistible toothy grins, this is an album that fits that aforementioned description.
While the older version of “Numb” is listed below, one can feel the immense weight it carries in sheer vocal beauty, flawlessly displaying a gorgeous tone and range from Brookes. The instrumentals are understated, featuring a splashy jazz style drum pattern and light finger picking, which allows you to intensely follow the vocals word for word. Boasting associations of Patrick Watson and James Vincent McMorrow, “Numb” will have you feeling anything but, carrying an ominous electricity with every verse.
“Frequency” offers a much more instrumentally-driven sound, combining playful melodies of strings, piano keys, and an almost new-age feel. Utilizing some vocal percussion in addition to the instrumentals, this softly sung tune is are given a unique sound, playing effortlessly with enchanting harmonies. On the other side of the spectrum, you have songs like “This is The Place” and “James” that features a much more upbeat tempo. With a big bass kick, endearing lyrics and some playful guitar work, you can instantly feel yourself throwing these playful songs on in the car during your next road trip.
As a whole, this fan-funded 10 track LP (due out March 17th) is a transcendence-rich musical journey that is sure to be a mainstay in your collection for years to come.
