Kindness - World, You Need a Change of Mind

The death of disco made me sad. It gets seasonal revivals lasting about 6 months every 5 years, but then disappears again. The early 21st century was certainly kind to the genre - Daft Punk were in their prime, Stardust, the Supermen Lovers and Kylie Minogue were all enjoying massive hits, and then BAM! Indie. But now the hipsters have taken it to their hearts - Hercules and Love Affair, the unusual Antony Hegarty collaboration (although he's since parted ways) had an incredibly well-received debut album, Beth Ditto had a great EP last year, Justice practically live off of the stuff -and there's a fresh lease of life for the genre.

Real name Adam Bainbridge, Kindness is a typically 2010s artist. As the worldwide music scenes struggle to keep up with emerging and dying trends it's become a requirement for contemporary artists to experiment with about 5 different genres - in the hope that one'll click, even if one doesn't. Last year's Thundercat record proved that: the timeless funk and soul about The Golden Age of Apocalypse outshone the much more conventional synthpop elements.

Almost opening mid-flow, 'SEOD' claps along energetically with snares and a distorted funk guitar in the background, before introducing a laidback and 90s-house-nostalgic groove. If experimentation was a prerequisite of the modern musician then so too is oft-incoherent vocals: breathily moaning "let the music be a part of you", it's a nice euphoric sentiment. A cover of the Replacements' 'Swingin' Party' is an interesting opportunity to revolutionise 80s alt-rock into something exciting but Kindness just sort of slaps the original melody over a dismal beat. Using the Eastenders theme (or rather, its predecessor, Anita Dobson's 'Anyone Can Fall in Love') then is another frankly odd inclusion, intended as something quite soulful and sweet, but anyone this side of the Atlantic can vouch for the effects of a soap opera theme tune. 

His own material, though, is far more compelling - the instrumental 'Gee Wiz' is a dark, moody funk solo that takes you into a bit of a backstage drug experience, whilst 'Gee Up' features Bainbridge perhaps ironically imploring "get up, get down". At face value it's a little daft, but it's a nice reflection of the blissfully-unaware revelry of disco music. Oddly, though, this makes way for 'House', an almost trip-hop but definitely out-of-place track that manages to squeeze in a gospel choir. At risk of sounding more Mika than Sylvester, it pulls off an anthemic sound, though. Again in 'That's Alright' there's an initial moment of confusion: the tracks seem to bounce off of each other without any mutual or collective theme. Incredibly 80s in its aesthetic - and perhaps owing a lot to the melody of Mantronic's 1989 hit Got to Have Your Love - it's one of the album's more immediately fun moments. 

Single 'Cyan' effectively wraps all of Kindness' effective sounds into one palatable chunk, with a cool disco groove that nicely complements his not-quite-there vocal. The vocals, though, are the album's main problem: there's a clear distinction between otherworldly distancing and a plain old lack of enthusiasm. Thus 'Cyan' is threatened by disco's poutiest moment. Another odd track, 'Bombastic' is essentially a jazz-club filler with a man whispering names such as Kate Bush, Diana Ross and Michael Jackson in the background. Choosing, though, to bow out with the poppiest track, 'Doigsong', at least hints at a sense of direction about the album. Perhaps a fitting backing for a late-90s Kylie Minogue single, it's got a couple of nice songs but absolutely nothing in the way of hooks, songwriting or lyrics.

 

This is the second time tonight I've finished off an album that, whilst showing promise and interesting sounds, really showed up its lack of framework and solidity. Vibes and grooves are merely flung at the listener, without completion or direction, and the end result is a bit of a confusing mess. That said, it's a kooky confusing mess, and one that can be enjoyed with a glass of wine. Or Vimto. Or bleach. I'm not sure. I need a lie down.

Rating: 6/10

Highlights: Cyan, Gee Up, SEOD, Gee Wiz

Avoid: Swingin' Party, Anyone Can Fall in Love, Doigsong

Artwork Watch: Excuse me whilst I swoon over his cheekbones. And those LOCKS.

For fans of: Daft Punk, Hercules & Love Affair, Thundercat