The New Citizen Kane has a background in theatre and multidisciplinary art which really shows in his independent electronic pop. “DO YOU TRUST INSTINCT?” is a great example of that. Desire, digital disconnection and the allure of a questionable decision are all themes that run through his work. Here it’s all very polished vocals and melodic instincts with a real hunger to explore different styles. Eight tracks in total with very different moods and characters.
“interTWINE – Radio Edit” kicks off with some Eastern melodic touches within a fairly standard commercial pop arrangement. The vocal is the thing that immediately makes you connect with the track and those little melodic flourishes are definitely something you want to hear more of. “517s” then brings in the beat and goes full hip-hop with the kind of confidence and energy that would make you think it had a very good chance of being a hit. The drive of the track is a very effective contrast to the opener.
Kane is equally at home with a more laid back approach. “Web of DESIRE” is light singing with a summery pop feel, the melody doing all the work. The more relaxed nature of that track provides a nice contrast to the retro synth-pop of “Dress UP & Play GAMES”. A touch of disco is woven into that one as well, all within a very modern commercial package. These are the songs that demonstrate just how easily Kane can shift his pop approach.
“NOSEdive” is a perfect example of his more tender side. It’s gentle, stylish and has a real sense of the cosmic about it. It slips effortlessly into the pop ballad realm with a great deal of grace. Following on from the earlier rhythmic experimentation, its gentleness in its own right is very effective. “YOU’RE making ME high” is the one that starts to shift the ground again, playing with the rhythm and the feel of the song through a variety of genres and some rather unexpected shifts in sound.
Then “SWAY, oh palm TREES” delivers one of the record’s most enjoyable moments. It’s a bright pop piece with a really engaging rhythm which is quite infectious and you just want to put everything else to one side for a few minutes. Kane takes that same brightness into “INTERtwine – B Bop Version’ where the backing vocals and the choral sections really give the finish a real sense of generosity and community.
What stays with me is the sheer pleasure Kane takes in pop that’s accessible. He moves from a fairly rhythmic insistence through to a soft ballad and then into a rather sunny finale. The final section is particularly rewarding, full of warmth and vocal energy.
*This review was made possible by MusoSoup
