Setting the frequency with panning celestial bell details and a rising pulsing beat, we are already hypnotized by CITIZEN:KANE‘s latest EP, Familiar Voices Are Easier To Understand.
The first track is called Woman Staring At The Garden With Her Wine Glass Dropping Slowly, and the visual nature of the soundscape is outstanding. We feel that cinematic slow motion energy from the synth details, and the anticipation of the drop from the ever expanding beat.
The celestial tones are more vibrant and pronounced now as percussion builds within the production, before an enigmatic change two-thirds through the track which strips the bells aways replacing it with synth notes and divergent shooting effects. Bass notes as luxurious and the song evolves into a more playful energy before breaking down and coming to a close.
The second track on the EP from the Lisbon-based artist kicks off with a pronounced bass and a textured pad before high hats amplify the journey that we are on. The track is indeed the title track of the EP, Familiar Voices Are Easier To Understand. Lending itself to a playful and cyber soundscape, the title track is immersive and constantly keeps us engaged.
A hybrid genre-bending experience takes us from Acid House to Deep House and Techno, the record has us feeling invigorated and intrigued. CITIZEN:KANE describes that track as “made for dancing while hugging somebody or maybe just for listening near the window with the starry sky outside.”
Next up is Boy Has Dinner With His Friends And Goes Home To Giggle Some Black And White Movies which delivers a more techno edge with a delectable bass line and cosmic textures before the artist teases percussion and a more psychedelic energy. Marco Guerra who is CITIZEN:KANE, describes the song as “a muscle track with a psycho groove” and we can totally understand that references, it is bolder and darker than it’s predecessors, but with an equally playful vibe that emerges.
Finally, Trying To Get Something That Relates Procrastination With Nipponic Imaginarium opens with samples of a Japanese conversation before we are submersed with a pulsating bass and cyber detailing. The more syncopated energy is electric as a siren amplifies drama. The intention of the track is to “evoke Shibuya” and to create “an incessant march. Always moving forward.”
We are enthralled by the overall energy of the EP and have added Woman Staring At The Garden With Her Wine Glass Dropping Slowly and Boy Has Dinner With His Friends And Goes Home To Giggle Some Black And White Movies to our New Music Spotlight playlist, as well as exploring CITIZEN:KANE‘s wider discography.