Setting the tone with an intricate and elegant acoustic guitar performance with a textured riser, Kimo Shabi opens Art As Necessity with intricate vocal design, an atmospheric nature and a sense of dimensionality. The opening track from the EP is titled Vincent Van Gogh and holds a meditative and dimensional energy. Needless to say, we are mesmerized. Mid-way through the opus, we experience a cerebral synth fused with astral textures and immersive percussive elements that allow us, and anyone privileged to experience the record, to feel at one with the composer.
Next up is Edvard Munch, which opens with a more subversive frequency with synthetic melodies that feel in line with the record’s opening track, taking us deeper into the transcendental art universe that Kimo Shabi is creating. We appreciate the panning elements of the guitar and the luscious celestial harmonies that envelope us further, whilst the track maintains a somewhat high octane energy.
A string arrangement leads us eloquently into Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, which kicks off with an astral, industrial vibe and keys with nuanced percussion. The track has a healing energy, almost akin to a DNA activation, and for that we are grateful to the composer.
Marcel Duchamp follows with a boundless bass synth and a pizzicato melody with gritty industrial bassline detailing, surround sound glitches and a cerebral synth. We are in awe as the track crescendos and fills the room with intricacy and originality. Half way though the composition, a sound akin to pouring gravel takes over and we are transported once again into a meditative state before a divergent final reprise. We learn that the piece features “glass and gravel” inspired by the materials used for Marcel Duchamp‘s works.
Next, we experience Pablo Picasso with a warm synth and a spatial tabla performance. What we note is the sonic originality that the composer imbues with their work, generating an out-of-this-world and almost an out-of-body experience. A low buzz draws us in further before a rippling tabla finale.
Salvador Dali features a beautiful guitar performance which immediately has us in our feelings with the elegance, not dissimilar to the opening track. We feel grounded and at peace with the meditative hums which allow us to go inward at the same time. A synthetic flute fused with vocal detailings takes us into the cosmos once again, as we appreciate the depth and genius that Kimo Shabi has to offer. The artist tell us, “Salvador Dali can be connected with an oneiric world were non-existing sounds are mixed with voices and instruments.”
Vasilij Kandinskij sets the tone with a dreamy and celestial mood, whilst an almost 8-bit style bassline and heartbeat allows us to deeper connect with ourselves. We love the evolution of the track which features glitched elements akin to classical-hyperpop, ingenious to say the least.
Finally, Jackson Pollock showcases a meditative energy and poetic grace with a cute and playful mid-synth, creating a cohesive tapestry of sound and a full circle experience for the record.
Speaking on Art as Necessity as a whole, Kimo Shabi confesses, “It is an homage to artists who contributed in changing the art and its perception, forever.” We love what the star is creating, and have added Vincent Van Gogh to our New Music Spotlight playlist, whilst we also stream the artist’s first EP Music with Elements, which is designed strictly for meditation.