Transviolet - Kaleidoscopes

Transviolet
Kaleidoscopes EP
2017
Spotify

Transviolet is one of those bands that you should know about but for some crazy reason they keep flying under the radar. They have that super deep alt-pop style that sort of worms it's way into your ears. "Pretty Head" is the first track that really lets their signature sound loose on Kaleidoscopes. It is somewhat breathy vocals coupled with an almost trap inspired beat. Their sound is what happens when you take a ton of influences throw them in a blender then transport them to a distant future. What is the most staggering is how this young band have such incredible confidence. This music is not accessible right off the bat like some really bubblegum pop or the latest trend of the day, it takes a minute to get into. Transviolet have this patience to let their music work on you, they are playing the slow game. "The Hamptons" is a song about the excesses of being rich, coupled with extreme poverty and takes you on this super winding journey all stemming from the Hamptons. The life they are describing is super specific yet still manages to be approachable. "Don't Put It On Me" is also incredibly deep and has an almost caribbean vibe to it. A summer song that isn't for the party to turn up, but more to sit and watch and the Sun goes down.

Even when Sarah McTaggart changes her delivery and lyrics to a more hip hop style like on "Astronaut" she really makes it work. However Rao Cragun's feature on the title track is less successful and sort of becomes this odd hipster rap. "Bruises" the albums closer is powerful track about domestic violence, not the usual territory for a pop group. It just goes to show how different this band is and how their approach to music is not just based on one element or influence, they are able to shift and move unlike many other bands. It is odd that they decided to release another EP rather than go with a full album but in a world where "playlists" seem to be the new norm, who the fuck am I to dictate release strategy? Kaleidoscopes should be bigger, should get them more but for some reason they've yet to break as big as they should. Well I am here to say it, and say it loud, You should be listening to Transviolet, like now.

8.0 out of 10