Review: "The Dancing Cavaliers" Album by KS
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Los Angeles based musician/filmmaker KS brings the grooves in unexpectedly sly ways on his cinematic new album “The Dancing Cavaliers”. Forgoing vocals, there is a classic cool to the way that he stretches the rhythms out. Elements of trip-hop, folk music, electro, pop, and dance all blend together in this rather beautiful way.
The soaring elements have their own charm to them for KS possesses a great ear for melody, and various different details bounce off of each other. Instrumental variety ensures that the listener is kept on their toes for KS switches things up in a gleeful fashion. Layer upon layer is applied with the utmost of care.
Plenty of reference points exist for this rather eclectic mix. For the raw gritty approach, KS brings in elements of Portishead and the Sneaker Pimps into the atmosphere. Like those groups, KS certainly knows how to lay down the beats and bass in a way that feels quite natural. The work out of the dance rock mixture brings to mind a bit of DFA records output, though with perhaps a more surrealist bent. Despite these influences KS embraces a style that is distinctively his own.
Dusty beats and fanfare start the album off in grandiose fashion on “Boludo”. For the title track “The Dancing Cavaliers” KS brings together dance rock and funk in a way that has a fever dream quality to it. Light as a feather, “Nostalgia” has a delicacy to it. On “Dimension Latina”, KS employs quick, sharp edits. “Pop Stupide” has a lustful quality.
Going for something quieter and reflective, “Danse” begins quietly before working itself into a frenzy. Hip-hop aspects filter into the expansive “Gadabout”. Noir vibes with a hint of jazz comes together on “Mon Cul”. Keyboard chords swell on “Esperando” complete with a delirious soundtrack getup to keep it interesting.
Distortion defines the heaviness of “Lamento”. “Funky Church” is aptly named as there is a gospel meets electro aspect to it. Woozy synthesizers lazily weave their way through “Too Cute”. A mediative, reflective stance on “Topo” has an easy-going elegance. Completely spaced-out things come to a lovely conclusion on the finale “Soledad”.
A psychedelic swirl of sound, KS delivers a thing of exquisite beauty with his “The Dancing Cavaliers” album.