Kites are a London-based band producing fantastic electro-pop. Let’s be honest there are a lot of people trying to create a niche for themselves within that genre as 80s influences become ever more apparent, but Kites are one of the few bands doing it with real success. For a start, the production of their music is ultra-clean, a factor that is so important to the type of music they are making. Without such polished quality, electro and synthesized music often sounds not only messy, but tacky and the band have done incredibly well to escape that trap. Instead, their brilliance shines through. They are not the first 80s sounding band I have featured, but what separates them from acts such as Hurts is the darkness that pervades their music. Matthew Phillips’ vocals are intense, filled with an anguish that allows every lyric to tell a story.
For individual songs, you would be wise to look at current single Take The Reins, and my personal favourite The Disappearance Of Becky Sharp. Take The Reins, the video of which is below is, musically, quite simple, providing a great introduction both to the band’s sound and the aforementioned vocals of Phillips. Lyrically, it speaks of burden & needing help with enough repetition that it is easy to both recognise and absorb. With this in mind it is easy to understand why it has been chosen as the track with which to introduce the band. The Disappearance Of Becky Sharp, however, is just as deserving of attention. Personally, I think it is a more complete song, with fantastic mixing that waxes and wanes to create an intriguing backdrop to the intelligent &, at times, socially conscious song-writing which allows the song to criticise those who have a habit of hiding behind drama (and let’s face it we all know people like that!). Therefore, the song is featured below the video for Take The Reins.
KITES – Take the Reins from BRIT SCHOOL – FILM & DIGITAL ART on Vimeo.
