Karma Kids take us on a tumultuous journey with their latest album, vibes. Although they navigate through stages of angst and loss, you’ll also find a sprinkle of optimism and a few moments of light, which, if we’re honest, is a concept that fits in well with the past year.
Despite many of the tracks being dark in meaning and tone, they are presented in a way that is enjoyable and thought-provoking. A perfect example of this is ‘Fading’, a song about thinking back to a moment in your life that you miss dearly, set to a beat that can only be described as touching and gentle. The combination of emo-rap-esque vocals and instrumentals creates a unique cocktail of genres that will draw you in and leave you wanting more.
The vocals on vibes. really stand out and are in sharp contrast to those of their debut metalcore album, Dystopian Dream. Karma Kids are clearly multi-layered and aren’t afraid to switch things up, a trait that will undoubtedly keep fans on their toes. But despite the change in style, the emotional core remains and that makes anything they put their name to feel familiar.
The features on vibes are also noteworthy; with Alexandria Edington, formerly of Native World, and Kellin Quinn of Sleeping with Sirens, both making appearances that add something extra to their relative tracks. ‘Nightmare’ featuring Kellin Quinn is sure to be a fan favourite with the empowering lyrics and soul the track has.
Casting a wide thematic net, vibes. is a tale of self-exploration, facing your inner demons, dealing with devastating losses due to COVID-19, as well as the effects of a corrupt and prejudiced society. In short, vibes symbolises all the actual vibes of 2020/21 and is one of the most relatable projects that has come from this period.
