Kat Koan & The Misplaced Souls: Cocoon
Vinyl and Obtain Solely
Out Now
Kat Koan, the Berlin primarily based artist has launched her album Cocoon backed by her band The Misplaced Souls through Bandcamp solely
Kat Koan, the East German born anglophile, perhaps unsurprisingly given the affect on her nations tradition, cites David Bowie as her greatest hero/affect; explaining the way in which Brixton’s best all the time pushed for brand new concepts and by no means stopped evolving is what she finds most inspiring in individuals, “that capability to do what you are feeling is correct in that second with out listening to individuals who attempt to inform you be.”
This offers an perception to her inventive mindset and the choice to shun streaming companies, making artwork (or music) for arts sake moderately than making an attempt to chase the Deutschmark. “A giant a part of that’s inventive fulfilment and having fun with the method of constructing stuff and never being too hung up about some form of business success. That’s additionally a part of the explanation why we determined to go completely indie with this album launch, it’ll solely be out there on vinyl and Bandcamp, and naturally to be loved dwell.”
Discussing the album, Kat says, “What I’m most happy with with Cocoon is that every one the songs are 100% actual. The tales which are being informed are actual and private and it took some guts to vocalise them”. Collaborating with Raymond Rose, the Belgian musician/producer she believes she discovered the best companion who tunes into “all these mad feels and has the emotional intelligence and fervour to precise them musically. These form of inventive partnerships are uncommon and really particular. I’m tremendous grateful that our paths crossed a few years in the past and I wholeheartedly benefit from the course of of constructing music collectively.”
The album is an amalgamation of indie and euro-pop. That is maybe greatest demonstrated by Fangs Out, the opening observe. Initially launched as a single again in Might, it’s a playful observe which proclaims a brand new route following the tougher electronica / dance affect heard on 2020 debut LUSTPRINZIP. From the off you possibly can hear her musical influences comparable to Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Blondie. The observe itself was written through the lockdown is, “a kick up the ass to maintain going and cease moaning” in addition to a name to insurgent in opposition to procrastination and ready for higher instances.
A contract TV producer by day, Kat takes her inspiration from visuals. This comes by means of within the sound of Cocoon. Shut your eyes and you may think about any of the tracks getting used on the large display screen or extra seemingly nowadays a subscription primarily based streaming service, from the tribal drum led anthem for Misplaced Souls to the brooding The Affair.
My preliminary introduction to Kat got here through her fellow Berlin primarily based ex-pat Freddie Dickson. A key member of Misplaced Souls he additionally duets on the observe Keep, which needs to be the spotlight. It’s actually my favorite observe with a timeless high quality to it. “I used to be very fortunate to affix forces with Freddie,” says Koan, ”his voice is like heat honey and provides such a pleasant layer to this observe”. The mixture of all of the sounds – the guitar, synths, vocals transports the listener elsewhere. It’s a type of tracks which sounds you’ll make sure you’ve heard earlier than, even on the primary pay attention.
One other spotlight is the interpretation of Kylie’s Gradual which we premiered on Louder Than Conflict again in July. The unique could be very a lot a euro-pop observe. On this model the ‘pop’ ingredient has been stripped away and is darker but retains the sensual and seductive vocals.
Paradoxically, the next observe, You’re Cool, is probably the closest factor on Cocoon to what you could anticipate from a European artist, somewhat naughty with a mixture of spoken and sung verses. If Rapido or Eurotrash had been nonetheless a factor Antoine de Caunes could be chomping on the bit for this one.
The album closes with Salt, a ballad that couldn’t be additional faraway from the playful flirting of You’re Cool. Coping with the breakdown of a wedding, you possibly can hear the ache and struggling within the vocals.
Cocoon showcases many sides to the artist, nearly as a singles compilation would do over a number of years. The distinction right here being that these tracks had been all written / recorded within the house of a yr. Solely time will inform what the chameleonic Koan does subsequent.
Discover out extra about Kat Koan & The Misplaced Souls on Fb, Twitter, Instagram and web site.
Take heed to Kat Koan on Iain Key’s Indie Brunch right here
All phrases by Iain Key. See his Writer Profile right here creator’s archive or on Twitter as @iainkey.
