English multi-instrumentalist Kinnship
Stones & Geysers opens with the melancholy Sentiment, which introduces the listener to Kinnship and Pablo Nouvelles otherworldly soundscapes. The brooding keys are sliced through by a jerky electronic beat and Kinnship’s gentle, dreamlike vocal and we know that this is the start of a musical voyage.
Kilo draws us in with its playful flute flourishes, addictive baseline and electronic chirps. “In a changing garden be my tether” is a beautiful metaphor that’s sung like a mantra and takes us seamlessly into the piano-heavy Light of Day. A clash of the titans occurs as jazzy piano keys are manipulated and layered with up-to-the-minute synths, both vying for the upper hand.
The Wholesomeness of Waiting has a baseline that oozes with cool and boundary-pushing synths that develop as the track progresses. The production is as slick as Kinnship’s vocal when he sings “the wholesomeness of waiting, no fruit until you see it.”
Title track Stones & Geysers possesses a summery, up-tempo intro that’s reminiscent of steel drums. A stand-out on the LP, the track is an undoubted earworm with its vibey baseline and singalong lyrics that draw you in. “When I stand on shore with a stone in my hand, skim it along like the water was land. And I like to think that I’m throwing away a whole lot of nothing but a whole lot weight when I said you are the only thing that I need now” is an example of the deep lyrics that lie just beneath the surface.
Fly in Formation is another nod towards Kinnship and Pablo Nouvelle’s jazz leanings with gorgeous piano flourishes and unrelenting bass guitar. The harmonies are akin to those that Alt-J are known for and that’s not the first comparison that can be made between the electronic folk duo and the indie heavyweights.
The pace is brought up again on Hearing the Quiet where gentle guitar strums, electronic percussion and angelic harmonies pull the listener into a warm and loving embrace before Medicine pulls us out of our reverie with its jerky baseline and punchy synths.
If Not Love showcases Kinnship’s
Stones & Geysers draws to a close with Frank Miller which is brooding right from the off and leaves you wondering what direction the track will take. We’re treated to a beautiful piano and string ensemble that wraps the LP up with a bow but at the same time leaves you hungry for more.
Kinnship has garnered millions of plays for his stripped-back yet highly evocative soundscapes and the multi-instrumentalist, producer, writer and singer possesses an effortless vocal which bring to life his evocative lyrics. Pablo Nouvelle is a producer and filmmaker and was longlisted for an Oscar for his film In A Nutshell. A classical pianist, his album Piano Pieces incorporated a string quartet and grand piano. A fruitful creative partnership was born and the duo of Kinnship & Pablo Nouvelle look to be unstoppable.