Brighton collective Kudu Blue have unveiled their hotly-anticipated new EP ‘KBVOL.4’, out 29th October on Nettwerk.
Buy / Stream Kudu Blue – ‘KBVOL.4’
A five-track release, ‘KBVOL.4’ opens with ‘Fire’, a lo-fi, bass-heavy gem inspired by Burial that was released as a single back in January. “‘Fire’ is about being independent and learning to recognise the strength within yourself,” Kudu Blue explain. “I feel like it’s important to acknowledge that you are responsible for your own feelings and actions.
The first of four singles on the record, ‘Fire’ is followed by ‘December’, an infectious dance cut characterised by a deep, brooding bassline and poignant horns. “It’s funny because this was written before we knew anything about Covid 19 but ‘I’ll see you in December’ couldn’t have been more relevant,” they discuss. “It’s about not wanting the night to end and that feeling that you just want to carry on partying.”
Next up, the glistening ‘Light On Me’ combines futuristic, synth-led production, fluttering vocals and emotion-tinged breakdowns. “One of the favourite tracks on the EP, ‘Light On Me’ is a real mixture of all of our influences. It’s about meeting someone that you connect with and instantly feel like you can be yourself around.
The only non-single on ‘KBVOL.4’, ‘Lavender Haze’ is also its most downbeat offering, a chilled-out cut with hints of trip-hop. “‘Lavender Haze’ was born out of a jam we were having in between a practice when we were all crammed into our old studio. It’s the chill one on the EP, the one you might put on when you get in from a late one and want something to help you wind down.”
Check out the stunning visualiser for ‘Lavender Haze’ here
Closing things out, ‘Brother’ is a rousing modern pop jam propelled by shimmering synths and soulful vocals – capturing the essence of the Kudu Blue sound in the process. “Brother is probably one of the most personal tracks I’ve written. It’s about my little brother, who has been faced with a lot of challenges in his life so far. I just wanted to make something that I could play to him to try and express how I felt and to let him know that I’m there for whatever he needs.”
With roots in Brighton, Birmingham and Bristol, Kudu Blue combine a wide melting pot of influences (from trip-hop to garage and rock to reggae) into their own brand of bright, textured and melody-driven dance-pop. Their previous releases have gained support from the likes of Huw Stephens on BBC Radio 1, Jamz Supernova on Radio 1Xtra, and Lauren Laverne on BBC Radio 6, as well as securing a BBC Introducing ‘Track of the Week’ with single ‘Somebody To’.
Their most extensive and diverse body of work to date, ‘KBVOL.4’ is Kudu Blue at their unique best.
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