What started out as a side project for Danny Harlow turned out to become his main “thing”. In 2013 The Kite String tangle blew everyone away with the single “Given The Chance." Not only did it hit 50,000 plays its first day on Soundcloud but it also flew into the #19 spot on Triple J’s hottest 100 and since then it has been a crazy journey of sold out shows across the globe, ARIA nominations and even starting his own record label, Exist. With almost three years since his highly anticipated Vessel EP, Harlow found it was time to once again resonate with his fans.
This 11 track self-titled album sees The Kite String Tangle project pick up where it left off - both delicate and beautiful in style. Harlow combines unique samplings with his yearning vocals, fusing them together to create an infectious groove. The album also demonstrates how time plays a factor in experience and growth not only musically but also internally because this time round Harlow has found strength in his fragility.
Opening track "Waiting" opens up with breathless gasps as the bassline beats out a rhythmic heartbeat. It’s disorientating until the heavenly sounds of synthesized create a feeling like running among the clouded heavens. Harlow’s vocals sweep and place a hand upon your shoulder to reassure you that “All this time I’ve been waiting for nothing. I’ve been waiting for something to change, I’ve been waiting for you."
"Beneath The Canopy" is somewhat of a melancholy track starting with a heavy bassline before two drumming patterns tick by racing against time. Harlow begs, “Please don’t forget me” before the synth chords raise the chorus up into hope and intimacy: “If we both stop fucking around, we’ll be alright."
The single "The Prize," featuring vocals from Bridgette Amofah of Rudimental, is set to be a hit as Harlow heads down that very familiar path (which he treads so well) of using synths to create an emotional soundscape. The true highlight of this track though is how brilliantly their vocals harmonise and compliment each other. The intensity builds as they question each other “if I am just a name, please tell me at least we had a moment.” The argument continues until the chorus where it drops almost mid air, with the strings weaving in underneath like vines to catch their fall.
The two sttandout tracks would have to be "This Thing We Got" which recalls Flume somewhat with a great boppy bassline and victory horns that sound in the chorus like some metaphysical boxing match has taken place. The other is a little track called "Wanderlust" that has an interesting tribal feel to it, jungle drums, ambient chords and chanting from what could be an African tribe elder all sampled together to create a worldly beat.
Danny Harlow has this amazing ability to turn that which is an introspective insight into his own soul and create this feeling of nostalgia, of love and loss that echoes with everyone. There is a euphoric quality attached to The Kite String Tangle's music that lifts you to another dimension; You could happily picture yourself sweating it out in a crowd of bodies with your hands raised to the sky, or simply the soundtrack on a chilled out coastal drive. Harlow thinks outside the box, avoiding the rules and habits of electronic music, and instead creating sounds that a both mystical and experimental. Electronic music has come a very long way and it’s amazing that we have so many of those artists in our own backyard paving the way. The Kite String Tangle is one of the front runners.
The Kite String Tangle is out now on CD, vinyl, and digital formats.
