Kllo – Backwater

Moody and Atmospheric

Kllo’s debut full length album, Backwater, is a collection of songs named after stagnant water, just beyond a current’s reach. Melbourne cousins Chloe Kaul and Simon Lam wrote these songs based on their experience of touring the world while also missing home. These growing pains are not only represented in the content of the album, but also by witnessing the duo step into their first full length album and try to further define their sound.

The album beautifully reflects a body of water, with the songs flowing together easily. Kaul’s vocals naturally balance the electro-pop melodies. At times, this album evokes a deep sense of longing, with verses like “Can I count on you/You’re my only virtue” in the song “Virtue.”

Kaul’s lyrics concisely depict her feelings of mixed emotions and heartbreak. Though the lyrics are somewhat repetitive, her voice smoothly elaborates on the notes, making every word seem fresh. The melancholia touches every song, and has a remarkable effect. Backwater certainly shows growth from previous work by the group, such as their 2016 EP Well Worn. If patient enough, it is possible to become immersed in this album, with the duo demonstrating a keen ability to keep the listener interested in what will come next. Each track is vastly different, with equal parts soulful and synthpop, while retaining a sound that is uniquely their own.

However, Kaul’s vocals can only carry this album so far. While her emotive lyrics certainly express a feeling, it never seems to be resolved or expanded upon. The album seems to flow into itself in an endless cycle, with repetitive lines and melodies that don’t necessarily stick with you after the song ends.

The runtime of Backwater lingers on without using the excess time to build on any of the intriguing aspects of the album. Often songs such as “By Your Side,” running at 5:41 minutes, seem to drag on when more dimension could be added to the track. Kllo has great potential to create an outstanding sound, if they can just get the formula right. Embodying its namesake, Backwater is so close to the river, yet remains stagnant.