New Artist Spotlight: K4LT Brings an Electronic Pop to Post Punk [Video]

There’s been a rash of extra-cool, electronically-infused submit punk-esque artists coming seemingly from everywhere in the globe recently, and we’re YEDM are right here for it. With lofi beats, an offshoot of journey hop, being so widespread the previous few years, it’s solely stands to cause that some artists would convey within the lowest of lofi, the maudlin melodies. Post punk artists like Nick Cave or Joy Division, for individuals who will recall, truly depended fairly closely on synthesizers of their heyday. While we now consider extra stripped again sounds, these newer artists are updating these synths for contemporary ears, bringing in chaos and irony in a brand new approach. With solely an EP and a single to his identify so far, German producer and vocalist K4LT could also be shaping as much as be among the best of this set, as his work folds punk into submit punk, lofi into industrial and basic, Moog and 808 model into the digital period.

K4LT launched his first EP, the paradoxically named Endgame, in 2021. This EP showcased his expertise as a grasp of the radio pop, a bygone sound from century-old recordings that many artists have weaponized as a part of a beat or an attention-grabbing phrase transition. K4LT makes use of them for each, and his beats vary from the afore-mentioned journey hop to lure to industrial beats. The latter, in Endgame‘s closing observe “Fugae” is especially spectacular as a result of with stated industrial beat, the traditional radio pops, a great deal of classic synths and a few fairly heavy guitar, he nonetheless manages to maintain the observe decidedly lofi.

On the opposite finish of what we now know is the lofi spectrum (K4LT having pushed that boundary for us), or seemingly so, is the Endgame‘s opening track, “Boarding Pass.” With a very basic beat and beatific vocals, upon listening to the first part of this track, the average lofi fan would think it’s customary, however then one other feedback-heavy guitar is available in, this time extra shoegazey and chaotic. In reality, the entire tracks on Endgame include guitars, starting from haunting and extra junkyard nation, like in “Extinction Aphelion” to positively grungy in “Loading Screen.”

From Endgame, a novel model begins to emerge from K4LT, however followers of the primary EP shouldn’t anticipate the identical in his new single, “LCPD.” Much extra shoegazey in each type and performance, “LCPD” has a extra definitive journey hop construction to the beat with some drone play as properly. Here the affect from acts like Radiohead and Gorillaz is basically current, together with lofi techno vibes taken from K4LT’s hometown of Berlin. The impact is comfortable but punctuated, with composition appears extra intentional on this observe however nonetheless with lashings of experimental sound design. Also probably essentially the most delicate observe in his seen discography, K4LT has stated “LCPD” was impressed by the stress and feelings behind an “amicable” breakup. The cautious but emotional nature of this observe could have been meant to replicate the problem that lies in such a difficult relationship maneuver, and if it was, it was very properly performed.

It appears the experimental mature of K4LT’s work has already led him to create various, multi-layered work that may resonate with submit punks, the indie-loving lofi crowd, classic synth lovers and music science buffs. That’s a fairly good cross part to faucet into, and “LCPD” actually isn’t K4LT’s closing type. Whatever he has in retailer for his subsequent launch, followers can anticipate it to make the most of the radio pop, his many and varied musical expertise and an excellent heap of emotionality.

“LCPD” and the remainder of K4LT’s discography might be streamed on Spotify or bought on Bandcamp.