Album Review: Kiesza – Crave

Combustive, keep away flammable objects

Resuming her career in the house pop scene, Kiesa Rae Ellestad, or more simply known as Kiesza, is back once more with her second studio album Crave. Beginning her career as early as 2010 with her performance for Canada Day in London, Kiesza releases her first single in 2012 titled “Oops.” But what would Ellestad’s launch to fame be, her first studio album Sound Of A Woman in 2014, with the hit track “Hideaway” bolstering her a number one debut in the UK to which remains her number one track to this day with an outstanding 246 million listens and close to two million monthly listeners on Spotify. Reaching critical acclaim, Kiesza has since spurred a train work of singles and EP’s and has appeared alongside in collaboration with various artists such as Duran Duran, Pitbull, Rihanna, Kylie Minogue and Skrillex.

In 2016, Ellestad would be involved in a car accident that would lead her onto a two-year hiatus till returning in 2019 and now 2020 with Crave, claiming it to be a source of inspiration for her music. Bold and powerful “Run Renegade” opens with amp-shattering bass lines and drum machines alongside Ellestad’s strong vocals are sure to make the room quake in melody.

Like a late afternoon daydream growing with energetic intensity, “All of the Feelings” strides in with EDM dance melodies and propelling percussions. Self-titled track of Crave has riveting synthesizers and resilient vocals with drum machine breakdowns to fasten listeners in for a thrill ride of energy. With a cranked down dial intro, “Can’t Be Saved” is no less as explosive as its forerunners; focusing heavier on keyboards and percussions, the track gives an unmatched turbulent ecstasy unbound and powerful vocally. With the heart and soul and of a ’90s-night club, “Love Me with Your Lie” brings to the dance floor solid, sinful synthetic basslines beckoning people to drop sick dance moves.

With a release from the endless fires of tracks before, “When Boys Cry” presents a more step back rhythm working almost like a chant invigorated by Kiesza’s hard-hitting vocals. With a cooling intro set apart from others among this compilation, “Sky Ain’t the Limit” will leave listeners in disarray when the fiery synths drop the heat, pumping in the pulse and beat of this track in comparison to the percussions.

Serene keyboards commence “Love Never Dies” with a chilling melody that is abruptly crashed down on by smashing drums that fuel an invigorating track comprised of energetic vocals and percussions and contrasting keyboards. With a highly volatile tune, “Dance With Your Best Friend” is an explosive conclusion to Crave featuring guest rap vocals and pummeling EDM synths and percussions to strike this album home and click that hard ‘repeat’ button.

Six years have passed since Kiesza’s first and last album, but Crave excels, providing much needed invigorating rhythm to the upcoming sleepy months of 2020. Dropping fire tracks is never an easy thing to do, but Kiesza is sure to win another few awards for Crave in almost certainty.

Sven Kline: Contributor/ Photographer/ Videographer: My career in journalism begun as early as high school when I published stories for our school's broadcasting show. Ever since I have pursued nothing but the story and informing all with everything I investigate and cover.
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