Review: Kaleo — Surface Sounds
Since the release of their multi-platinum hit “Way Down We Go” in 2015 and the subsequent studio album “A/B”, Icelandic rock band Kaleo is immensely popular. The band’s music is infused with blues and folk, and tends to trickle down one of two tones: soulful garage grunge driven by rugged riffs or a more lyrical tranquility sprinkled with falsetto and acoustic delicacy. On their new full-length record, the band remains comfortably distinctive, playing in many of the same shades as they did previously, yet another testament to the band’s remarkable grip on American soul and roots music and song structure. “Surface Sounds” contains eleven tracks, with an emphasis on previously released singles, and is pretty much the pet project of Kaleo’s frontman, vocalist and songwriter JJ Julius Son.
The album opens with “Brother Run Fast”, which is classic Kaleo with grounded bass, sparse drumming, and Son’s voice that can cut through granite. This is followed by “Break My Baby”, which was produced with Grammy winner Mike Elizondo and written by Julius Son. It is a bit more hooky and groovy, featuring the range of Son’s vocals and a gritty, bluesy approach. It sets the mood for the rest of the album’s dark and personal theme.
“Skinny” begins with Julius Son’s deep bluesy vocals referencing a girl, but as the song progresses, it becomes apparent he’s not addressing a lover or an…
