Kero Kero Bonito "Civilisation I" (2021)

 

 

 I've been diving into a few Kero Kero Bonito records and loving whats to be discovered! Initially, I didn't vibe as strongly with this other half to Civilisation II until I had the further context of their back catalog. As a quirkier, bold and colorful trio of songs, it seemed offbeat from the marvels of its successor. Released two years earlier, these three songs perhaps signify maturity over the period, however being new to the London based outfit, my passing thoughts are of little value currently.

 

The opening track Battle Lines bursts to life with a barrage of punchy instruments, a disorienting layering of cheesy 80s synth sounds reworked to produce a carefree, wonderus mood. Its zany synths jive unabashedly, jolting into life with sequences of notes that play like guitar solos, often seeming out of key initially and swiftly find their orientation with the music. Ironically its was the most jarring track but now the one I love most. The wildly animated nature of its busy instrumentals is remarkable!

When The Fire Comes drifts into a calmer, soothing temperament, letting Sarah Perry take a little more light with her keen singing voice. The steady percussion gives rise to layerings of gorgeous, vibrant keys. So easy to enjoy! The River follows up extending that warm, easy tone with its breezy synths making a mockery of its jittering percussion and sporadic bursts of odd synthesized noise effects. Its somehow dreamy, yet that drum pattern is so shaken and agitated! The chemistries these three conjure are simply wonderful. They are now the subject of my next musical journey!

Rating: 4/10

Kero Kero Bonito "Civilisation II" (2021)

 
Kero Kero Bonito are a London based trio led by singer Sarah Perry, who's half Japanese status has a clear cultural influence on the Electronic group. With warm shades of J-Pop and K-Pop influencing the audios character, this short three track EP Civilisation II was an excellent entry point for me. The feel good uplift and structural sensibility of Pop music finds itself in the arms of deep grooving electronic styles that drift in a direction I am far more familiar and comfortable with.

It kicks off with The Princess And The Clock, the chirpiest track speared on by driving percussive kicks that dial up the energy of a youthful, dancey, daydreaming song. Perry resonates warmly, her lyrics mirroring this slightly dreamy aesthetic has she sings a fairy tale of a royal prophecy fulfilled. 21/04/20 mellows out in a direction reminiscent of Anime theme music as its sparkly lead melody blossoms out of a glossy toned song. Perry's lyrics embellish normality with a sunny pleasantry as she words out the details of what might be a mundane day into something much prettier.

The third and longest cut at seven minutes is my favorite. Well Rested swiftly drops into an easy breezy groove of deep soothing bass and steady percussion. Its reminiscent to me of my favorites songs in the realms of Downtempo and Ambient electronic music. The mood is rustled up along the way with Perry making commanding remarks on a cadence fit for an activism rally. It arrives alongside jolty, slightly frenetic electronic leads that usher the second half of the jam into a livelier version of its own first half.

All of this wonderful songwriting is channeled through a wonderful productions that musters a fair helping of glossy reverb and timely echo to embellish that dreamier tone. All the while its many electronic instruments stay crystal clear and chirpy, dense in texture and color. The percussion too is imaginative with a great selection of both samples and pattern arrangements. All in all this brief fourteen minute outing is absolutely solid and has me very excited to discover more from this dynamic trio.

Rating: 5/10