Psychedelic frequencies from Norway
Heatwaves is a band many would recognize as a hidden gem within an oversaturated sea of musical acts created through the emergence of streaming services and independent release. The four piece band from Bergen, Norway doesn’t shy away from transcendent instrumental jams on Kappa, all while retaining structural integrity. Other tracks on this album feature vocals, giving Kappa a strong sense of variety that permeates through the project’s 42 minute runtime.
“Squids” is the first track on the album, which sets a strong tone for groove heavy melodies. Stylistic influences feel very similar to the Houston-based psychedelic rock trio Khruangbin, with heavily effected guitar lines, sedated downtempo drumming (at times) and the occasional spacey synthesizer. Like Khruangbin, Heatwaves’ music is the opposite of congested, allowing certain themes to really shine through the mix. The instrumental vocal splitting of tracks on this project is also extremely personable to both groups. In terms of guitar processing, Heatwaves utilizes a curated blend of reverb, wah, delay and who knows what else in order to achieve a desired effect of deep relaxation, an ascension of what some may call Rigpa- the awareness and knowledge of the innermost nature of the mind.
“Mountain Dew” is a notable lyrically driven song on Kappa. The vocals are laidback, catchy, melancholy and reflective altogether. While a lot is going on in terms of arrangement, each element is only brought to the forefront when necessary. This prohibits any fear of things getting too muddy or crowded, alluding to an overall abundance of space.
“Aladdin Snake Oil” is another track to remember. The consistent, funky, palm-muted guitar line that plays throughout this piece is blatantly euphoric as it perfectly targets the feel-good senses in the brain. The rhythm of this guitar part fits snugly against the drum groove, which is simple yet sonically fresh. Certain hits in the beat come and go in a manner similar to acid jazz. The instrumentation as a whole is a hypnotic fantasy, paying homage to the song’s title.
Kappa is a must listen for fans of psychedelic rock, especially those seeking a wholesome, reflective occurrence. This album effortlessly constructs a cathartic experience that is raw and honest to itself as well as towards listeners. Heatwaves showcases a raw, young talent at the most sincere, fundamental level a band could be at. It would be no surprise if the group were to blow up in the next coming years, so it’s definitely worth checking this album out.
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