Album Review: KITA

KITA are a vision straight from a synth-pop dream. Hailing from art capital Wellington, the three-piece sew elements of modern jazz, vintage rock, polished pop and grounding soul into a sonic tapestry. Following the success of their recent single Private Lines, KITA are touring Aotearoa to launch their debut self-titled album.

The album starts with an electronic flourish and epic vocoder mics from Nikita. A swooping bass builds suspense as she riffs about satiation. Home Fires is comforting; the brighter pop sound is refreshing after the ominous opening bars. Don’t get too comfortable though, because it shuffles between soundscapes and rhythms with expertise. Home Fires melts away into a harmonic bridge with a surprise modulation before shuffling back into the chorus.

Every Day begins with a solo line stating the dying need for love and the sound of rainfall, before locking into a smooth jazz rhythm. Rick Cranson (drummer) boasts impressive diversity in this album, driving a shifting metre and dictating the vibe. Dig Deep exhibits KITA’s more soulful side, in a keys lead ballad about moving on. Dig Deep is a cinematic muse on the “next season”. It tapped into some nostalgic button in the back of my brain; the instrumentation cleverly mirrored the lyrics.

A personal favourite for the KITA album was Silver, which captured what it must feel like to float through a zero gravity nightclub. The dreamy first few bars coupled with a fake build were effectively interesting and the groove KITA settled on was somehow simultaneously comforting and disconcerting. The use of male and female vocals reminded me of The xx, which is absolutely a compliment.

Neverending Light took a more narrative approach. Lyrically, it felt like a folk ballad while sonically, it was a laid back synth pop track. The combination of imagery was effective, and adds to the catalogue of unique sounds that KITA are able to create. The band concluded their expertly crafted album with the mesmerising Unsheltered, which ominously reveals a story that melts away into a smooth chorus.

Overall, self-titled album KITA is a masterpiece. The production is flawless, and the writing and performances are creative and thoughtful. Without a doubt, it’s an album worth sharing with friends due to its diversity and innovation. KITA begin their tour of Aotearoa in Tauranga on the 4th of June, and if their recorded music reflects their live show then it’s a night you won’t want to miss.