Rising artist, Kachinga, throws hip hop, R & B, and indie rock into a blender to create an entirely new genre of compositions near impossible to define. With the release of “Sky Falling,” listeners will be transported into the world of the Canadian rapper/singer/songwriter through 23 captivating tracks that promise to attract the attention of music lovers worldwide. “BC” begins our entry into his rhythmic domain as Kachinga instructs a lover to overcome the turbulence in their relationship & “be like water.” Sometimes you can’t shake that sinking feeling but the lyricist takes a zen approach to the situation as he casually cascades around a hypnotic soundscape. “Before” follows next with its alternative grooves and alluring tempo changes that lead into the laid back “down home” vibe of “Boujwazee.” “Nullify I” allows Kachinga to express inner pain & deep loss. The lack of instrumentation was the perfect choice for this brief but effective track. “Justified” delivers a funky, atmospheric sonic backdrop while “Beamer” benefits from Rosie Eberhard’s killer vocals on the hook.
“The Tide” rolls in with a snippet from a classic film before “Fluent” details the unraveling of a love affair. “Cold Heart II” finds Kachinga channeling his anger into a piano laden rant that uncovers his despair until the deceptively serene melodies of “Wedding Dress” lull us into a false sense of security. “Colour” drags listeners deeper into emotional anguish before “A Poet” kicks in to discuss the problems that occur from holding on to an illusion. “December” stands out for its airy alt-rock meets boom bap atmosphere. The rough & rugged flows are a welcome change from the sentimental trampoline act stirring up so much inner turmoil. Although the cut doesn’t represent the project as a whole it would make a worthy single.
“Too Much III” serves as another concise construct of merit designed to set up a more realized arrangement. In this case, it’s the title track. “Sky Falling” is a beautiful song revolving around grief and insecurity. The cut is the centerpiece of the LP and a powerful one at that. “Balance” possesses enchanting rhythms & harmonies while “Nothing” telegraphs 80’s Bruce Hornsby influenced pop vibes before morphing into a Miami bass-inspired banger. The fusion between musical styles is flawless. “Legacy” is a head-nodding gem with tight lyrics while “Soul’d” showcases extravagant orchestration guaranteed to ignite any concert hall or arena.
“The Shore” contains the kind of catchy commercial appeal that would make it an easy fit for Top 40 radio rotation. When the track ends, Kachinga blesses listeners with the funky “BC Reprise” before the soul-fueled “Donuts” and “Wonderland” propel us to the ultimate level of sonic satisfaction. Kachinga takes many risks & achieves them all on his debut album. “Sky Falling” will be remembered for the artist’s bold creative choices & fully realized concepts fleshed out and made possible by the Lava Cru’s outstanding production.
– Kevin Keith
