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Jeremy Williams-Chalmers
Arts Correspondent
@jeremydwilliams
3:30 PM 24th November 2015
arts

Kate Boy - One

 
Swedish/Australian trio Kate Boy have not been in a hurry to release their debut album. While they debuted their heavily hyped single Northern Lights some three years ago, around the same time as initial efforts from CHVRCHES and Niki & The Dove, the synth based trio may have taken the praise on board but instead of forcing a release, they have simply spent the past three years developing their sound, building their live set and developing a loyal fanbase. With their debut, One, finally ready, the question on everyone's lips is whether it was worth the wait.

Kate Boy have always drawn comparisons to Scandinavian icons The Knife, and their debut effort will do nothing to silence these comparatives. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing, but for Kate Boy it must be somewhat frustrating to constantly be in the shadows of such a successful act. While it is only fair to admit that their ambitious electro soundscape has echoes of The Knife, it also boasts the innovative playfulness of Kate Bush, building itself into its own definitive genre.

One is an album that works both as a body of creativity and as individual slices of electro pop heaven. While the Hounds of Love driven opener Midnight Sun shows their ability to craft shouting anthems, the stunning dancefloor filler When I Was Young oozes emotional drive, best highlighting the depths of their creativity. Meanwhile Self Control shows their ability to deliver an irrepressible arms in the air anthem.

Overall One is a skilled, well thought out and cleverly structured debut. Good things really do come to those who wait.