Album: Nightcall EP
Artist: Kavinsky
Kyle: I don't know anything about Kavinsky. But based on the title track from Nightcall EP, he's an insomniac stalker from the '80s who loves to drive. Also, the girl he's obsessed with happens to be CSS's Lovefoxxx (not Rilo Kiley's Jenny Lewis, as I first thought).
Which goes to say, this song is creepy. It opens with the sounds of a payphone being dialed while crickets chirp in the background, before a wolf's howling leads into a hypnotic throwback synthesizer chord progression. The instrumentals are spot-on '80s: nostalgic and scary at the same time, they form a perfect backdrop to Kavinsky's psychotic singing through a voice-changer (a device used by prank callers and Scream-style murderers to disguise their voices). Serving as counterpoint is Lovefoxxx's vulnerably curious chorus, which underscores the instability of this story's protagonist.
And this sh*t is catchy. Surprisingly so. The plodding rhythms will have your head bobbing in agreement, even as you doubt the caller's intentions when he says "I'm gonna show you where it's dark, but have no fear." Verdict: [A-]
Randy: Kyle's stalker fantasies finally (finally!) gain solid soundtrack footing. This is a David Lynchian "Every Breath You Take," steeped in the warbling, neon shadow of a 1980's rise in violent crime. It'll shock you just how readily your breathing and footsteps match the prowling pace. Verdict: [A-]
I was Listening to Kavinsky when you guys were Spermies! ~~~~ Check out his EP "1986" and crank up the second track "Dead Cruiser". Wait for the :40 second mark....it will make you feel like its 1986 all over again.
ReplyDeleteFYI: 1986 doesn't have vocals.