R&B Artist Spotlight: Hiatus Kaiyote

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Music Style: Neo Soul music with an avant-garde hybrid of Jazz, Electronica, Funk, Hip-Hop, Psychedelia, and World music

Hiatus Kaiyote is a four piece band from Australia. The members consist of Nai Palm (vocals, guitar), Perrin Moss (drums, percussion) Paul Bender (bass), and Simon Mavin (keyboards). This 4 piece band has made quite a name for themselves in the neo soul scene. Their music often utilizes the very technical side of music. This means that their music uses more complex rhythms, unique compositions, difficult techniques, and various time signatures to create a type of music that will bring almost anyone in. One group that I could compare Hiatus Kaiyote to would be Up Dharma Down. The only different is that Up Dharma Down incorporates various types of rock music into their sound like Post-Rock and Indie Rock. Another interesting fact about Hiatus Kaiyote is that their music has been highly praised and even scored them two Grammy Nominations.

Calling Hiatus Kaiyote’s music Neo Soul would only be describing it on a surface level. It’s just that their music encompasses so many different styles and elements. A few songs that can give you a general idea of the type of music that Hiatus Kaiyote makes are Lace Skull, Breathing Underwater, and All the Words We Don’t Say. All three of these songs contain these particular elements: jazz drumming, choral sounds, sound shifts, and soulful vocals. Basically whenever you listen to these songs, expect to hear some intricate production styles. Hiatus Kaiyote can also slow things down like in Red Room and Building a Ladder, both which are more general Neo Soul sounding. Some of Hiatus Kaiyote’s strongest work in my opinion is when they incorporate electronic elements into their work. This is mostly seen in songs such as Chivalry is Dead, By Fire, and Atari. When they include elements from electronic music, it adds a futuristic tone to their music. In Chivalry is Dead, the use of breakbeats and glitches adds a hyperactive chaotic mashup of perfection. In the song Atari, the production is styled in way where it sounds like the 8-bit tunes from an Atari console. When one listen to By Fire, they’re taken to futuristic techo tribal jazz like word. This is how Hiatus Kaiyote uses their music to create a whole new atmosphere for the listener.

Something about Hiatus Kaiyote that is not only good, but excellent is Nai Palms vocals and the groups lyricism. I’ll first start with the vocals. Nai Palms vocals are some of the best in Neo Soul. Her voice just soars over the production and even occasionally follows the beat of the production like in Molasses. Nai’s singing voice is reminiscent of old school jazz singers. In the modern age, her voice is similar to Erykah Badu, Ari Lennox, Tweet, and Rayvn Lenae. In fact, watch this little acoustic rendition of Mobius Streak. If that doesn’t convince you listen to this live performance of Sip Into Something Soft / Chivalry Is Not Dead. You see how much Nai is going off vocally. Her voice is soulful, jazzy, and full of life. These are characteristics that everyone should wanna see in a singer. Some of Nai’s best vocals can be seen in All The Words We Don’t Say, Get Sun, Fingerprints, and Borderline With My Atoms. I feel like I can’t describe how well written Hiatus Kaiyote’s lyrics are. They often take a unique approach to their songwriting. For instance, take a look at some of the lyrics of Shaolin Monk Motherfunk

The lines on your palm cry out to be cloaked
With the steady compass of my own
My constellations burn to be strung to yours
Almighty dot to dot

You see how unique theses lyrics are. Hiatus Kayote’s lyrics are always interesting. Their lyrics often touch on personal and spiritual scenarios. These scenarios are often cases such as connecting to your roots, grieving for a lost one, or even paying homage to a game console from your childhood like in their song Atari.

For something easy to get into, but still having their signature sound, listen to Tawk Tomahawk. For music with layered production with a futuristic aquatic like feel, listen to Choose Your Weapon. If you’re in the mood for more layered production, but with more tropical rhythms, listen to Mood Valiant.

Some of my Favorite Hiatus Kaiyote songs: Mobius Streak, The World It Softly Lulls, Malika, Boom Child, LAce Skull, Rainbow Rhodes, Nakamarra, Nakamarra (Remix), Shaolin Monk Motherfunk, Laputa, Borderline With My Atoms, Breathing Underwater, Cicada, Swamp Thing, Fingertips, Jekyll, Prince Minikid, Atari, By Fire, The Lung, Molasses, Building a Ladder, Slip into Something Soft, Chivalry is Not Dead, And We Go Gentle, Get Sun, All the Words We Don’t Say, Hush Rattle, Rose Water, Red Room, Stone or Lavender, Blood and Marrow

Here’s a Spotify and Apple Music Playlist for Hiatus Kaiyote.

Here are some good performances: Live on the Set, Live at the Village Underground, Live in Revolt

Next R&B Artist Spotlight: L’Rain

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