Jai Wolf - Kindred Spirits

Jai Wolf
Kindred Spirits
2016
Spotify

Jai Wolf has been slugging it out in the electronic music scene for awhile now getting his name out there via remixes and a few singles. However nothing has been expansive or as bold as this new EP Kindred Spirits. The record though short is never lacking in depth. The soundscapes that Jai Wolf builds with each track takes you on a journey to somewhere else, somewhere better where the connections between us aren't strained by the pressure of everyday life. Big words for a small album, but when you listen it makes total sense. In an interview Jai Wolf has said that they concept for the album came from seeing two people meet and begin a relationship at his merch table and through that He wanted this album to explore those connections, where ever they may come from. There has been a bit of a vacuum in this style of music since Odesza put out their last album and many different producers have been trying to fill it. This record seems to fall in to that category as well using the same dreamlike music to craft swirling epics. Even the tracks with vocals have a very distinct sound where his vocalists lean towards his style rather than the other way around.

On a first listen it seems a bit silly that this six track EP has an intro, "This Space in My Heart is For You", but it actually does set the tone for the songs to come. MNDR lends her distinctive voice to "Like It's Over" and with most of her tracks it takes a slightly off kilter bend but it still maintains that Jai Wolf expansive heart. It also happens to be one of MNDR's best vocal performances to date really allowing her to stretch out and let her voice soar. There is not a single ounce of space that Jai Wolf doesn't fill on this album, sucking up every ounce and then letting it go totally supernova. The tracks without lyrics are likely the best here, but His collaborator selection really is quite diverse. It may only be an EP but it certainly hits like some of the best albums out there so make sure you do not let this record slip by.

8.5 out of 10