Kero Kero Bonito continues to look outwards with this EP.
After Kero Kero Bonito released their sophomore album ‘Time’n’Place’ in 2018, I was wondering where they will go towards next considering just how that album is a drastic switch up from their debut, both in sound as well as tone.
I suppose they went back to their usual synth palette for their Civilization I EP but still retaining that sense of maturity that was present in their TOTEP EP and Time’n’place. But as much as I appreciate that EP for trying to go outwards with its concept and sound, it wasn’t as spectacular as others seem to say. The compositions just kept rambling into a mess, the sound palette is consistent with its warmer and summery feel but it does clash quite a bit, and as much as I appreciate the content going a bit grander and outwards looking, the vocals just seem too faint to sell it for me.
And I think it’s also the same case here, albeit a little bit better as the compositions are much more neatly arranged, the production still has that retro feel but the synth tones are much prettier here than the previous EP, and I think the content towards isolation and meditation feels more fitting with Sarah’s vocals. ‘21/04/20’ is probably the most flagrantly retro and soft of the bunch with its bit tune tones on the synths but it’s pretty well-executed, and I liked the rather epic feel of ‘Well Rested’ especially with the build-up of the synth progressions paired with Sarah’s spoken delivery that ends the EP on a good note.
But despite ‘The Princess and the Clock’ being my least favorite song here due to the sudden choppy breakdowns, the sharper synth tones that don't mesh at all, and the hook not that strong, I still think this is a good EP overall. I just hope this continues to an even better project, but I do appreciate the expansion nonetheless.
Favorite tracks: 21/04/20, Well Rested
Least Favorite Track: The Princess and the Clock