

“Jekyll” off of Choose Your Weapon may be the be finest example of the band’s flexibility and Nai Palm’s pipes. It’s pretty hard not to notice Nai Palm’s infinitely soulful vocals, reminiscent of a more acrobatic, yet less smoky Amy Winehouse. “Nakamarra” is probably the most accessible Hiatus Kaiyote gets – their pop song. Whereas Tawk Tomahawk is – as one review puts it – “portioned like an appetizer” and an introduction to their “Afrofuturist electronica”, Choose Your Weapon is an atmospheric album with a fuller sound and production value. The latter of the two ventures further into psychedelic territory, but like the former, is interspersed with playful vignettes and ambient interludes.
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With over 3 million views on YouTube, the music video – filmed during nine days in the deserts of Australia – reflects the band’s free spirit when it comes to chord changes, rhythms, and lyrics – always opting for adventure over complacency. By far Hiatus Kaiyote’s best-known tune, it balances a catchy melody with succulent neo-soul keys.

Attempting to pin a singular genre or sound to HK is a pointless exercise, but let’s try and navigate their music in brief. Their music is so lush and layered, at times it may feel as if you’re wrapped in a warm Hiatus Kaiyote burrito. And frankly, it’s probably the most accurate description for this quartet from Melbourne. “Multi-dimensional, polyrhythmic gangster shit” breaks down further to mean futuristic, cerebral neo-soul with complex time signatures and buttery vocals courtesy of lead singer Nai Palm. That’s what the first google search result will yield you for searching “Hiatus Kaiyote”.

Multi-dimensional, polyrhythmic gangster shit.
