Australian music is absolutely booming at the moment, and Melbourne four-piece Hiatus Kaiyote are our new faves. The group, which was actually established way back in 2011, is a blissful combination of neo-soul, electronic, R&B and jazz. Yep you read that right. They released their debut album last year, Tawk Tomahawk, which was a groundbreaking record – drawing global praise. So much so that the legendary Q-Tip just had to drop a verse on their banging tune Nakamarra – which was subsequently nominated for a Best R&B Performance Grammy.
And the band has just released a new EP By Fire, which features the same-name single. The track kicks off with a light electronic vibe that, like a melodic rollercoaster takes you to a high point and then brings you straight back down, fading into the soulfully delightful melodies of front-woman Nai Palm. Palm has got some serious pipes and, impressively, is able to control them with ease – knowing when to let go and hit those higher notes at the right time.
The electro vibes in this track are a lot more present compared to tracks on Tomahawk, and the drums are punchier than Floyd Mayweather on cocaine – one of the best elements of this track, the drums that is. And that what makes this music so addictive – there is so much going on. That may turn some off, but the way Haitus Kaiyote are able to infuse all these different sounds together is something that you simply have to experience.