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Electronic music is a beast of a genre. It has only entered the public sphere of pop music in the last five years, but it has always been one to constantly evolve. To be completely honest it’s the most exciting music to be coming out these days, and quite frankly you’re never sure what to expect from these artists. That’s half the fun, especially when listening to the 1999, the new EP from Kakariko.
When the electronic music umbrella begins to feel a little crowded, Kakariko do Nintendo proud on synth party EP 1999 with their kooky dance hooks.
Kakariko have only been kicking around the Melbourne scene since last year, but they haven’t failed to make a lasting impression. The two men responsible for the rich sounds are Simon and Jake, the boys describing their band as a “Super synth dance party time project“. Listening to 1999 it’s pretty hard to argue with that fact. It’s a flexible EP without being scattered, a mash up of kooky synth hooks and driving beats that stay with you long after the final moments on Coffee Trance have faded away.
It would be prudent to stop identifying 1999 by the broad ‘electronic’ umbrella and call it what it is; synth dance. Not to be confused with synth pop mind you, which simply borrows the synths (literally) and features them in what is already a cute pop song. Synth dance is a glorious soundscape to explore and Kakariko have done so with gusto on this EP. It’s a beast of wondrous synths and contemplative dance numbers. Sure you can turn it up to 11 and dance your ass off to it, but it also works as a way to remove yourself from the bullshit around you and soak in something beautiful. Anyone who is a fan of Anywhere by The Presets will understand.
The most intriguing thing about 1999 is how it sounds like it is from the future, yet at the same time is an echo from the past. Heck, the EP title alone alludes to this. 1999 was a year that we looked back on what had come before while looking to the new millennium with hope and ambition. That could pretty much be the mission statement for the EP. Opening track Berlin and Coffee Trance could easily be from a 1980s sci-fi action/ adventure movie, whilst For The Wicked and Sax and Buoy pine for the future with their wobbly, spaced out melodies.
The most interesting of the bunch are Escape Theme and Club Hit. It’s at this middle point on the EP that Kakariko embrace their most experimental side and turn it loose. Club Hit sounds like a lost song from the gloriously monotonous Pokemon GameBoy game. The punching midi notes bop along with ease while the drums crash in a playful manner. Don’t be surprised if you start feeling the urge to dust off your Gameboy Colour and load up you choice Pokemon game cartridge after hearing this one.
1999 will be getting its official release at the end of the week, but for now enjoy this exclusive stream. Be sure to keep an eye on Kakariko’s social for all the latest information on where their super synth dance party is touring next.
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