KITA – KITA
(Independent)
Reviewed by Bridget Herlihy.
It isn’t often that this reviewer clearly recalls when and where they first heard a particular artist. KITA, however, is one of those all too rare instances; a moment during lockdown in mid-2020 whereby my auditory attention and curiosity were well and truly piqued in the best possible way. After being ‘discovered’ by UK music manager Seamus Morley (Leftfield, Above & Beyond) at a gig they played in 2019, KITA were signed to Morley’s label 1965, and the band have been moving at a very steady pace since.
Fast forward a year, the release of their debut EP and single ‘Try To Find A Way’ (which also featured an additional three superb tracks – ‘Foggy Town’, ‘Breathe’ and ‘Heartbeat’), and the Wellington-based three piece have released their highly anticipated, self-titled debut album.
KITA, which features Nikita Tu-Bryant (vocals, guitar and writing), Ed Zuccollo (keyboards) and Rick Cranson (drums), have firmly established a reputation for their exceptional live performances, and their ability to connect people through music and storytelling. KITA’s debut album is no exception.
In fact, it is very easy to imagine how the subtle fluidity of tracks ‘Unsheltered’ and ‘Private Lives’ might be experienced in a live setting. With Italian producer Tommasco Colliva (Muse, Damon Albarn, Mark Lanegan, Greg Dulli) at the helm, KITA were in fine hands indeed, with each of the album’s eleven tracks a standout in their own right, carried beautifully with Ti-Bryant’s poignant vocals. While there are quieter moments, such as ‘Every Day’, ‘Envy’ and these moments are never dull; in fact, quite the opposite. Opening track ‘Home Fires’ begins with Tu-Bryant half singing/half-whispering “I’m so excited, I just can’t deny it” over a bed of music that is a distinctive amalgamation of genres, including elements of electronica, soul, pop, vintage rock, r&b, with just a dash of psychedelia. The result is a distinctive and mellow soundtrack that is the perfect musical accompaniment to a spot of daydreaming.
KITA are an absolute delight, and their first LP is a thoroughly enjoyable and uplifting multi-faceted journey through sound.
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