Kayavibe – Self Titled EP
Track Listing:
1.) East Coast
2.) Living Single
3.) Bounce
4.) Nothing’s Wrong
5.) Sticky
6.) Creeper
7.) The Bangover
The Pier Album Rating:
Release Date: December 13th, 2011
Record Label: Rah Rah Rah Records
Official Website: Kayavibe Website
Group Background:
Hailing from Vero Beach in South Central Florida, Kayavibe channels groovy beats and reggae skank to the ears of partygoers and dancers of all types. The reggae quartet formed in 2010 and since then has found the ears of countless fans including those of The Supervillians, founders of Rah Rah Rah Records whom they are now attached to.
Shortly after this release, Kayavibe will perform at multiple venues covering the state of Florida. The Supervillains will join them for three dates in mid-January, and the group has also mentioned a nationwide tour to follow.
Album Review:
After taking a subjective listen to Kayavibe’s newest EP, it is apparent why The Supervillian’s became co-workers with the Sunshine state’s party reggae massive. Their self-titled EP is drenched in party themes and laid back, but progressive rhythms.
The album kicks off with East Coast; repping their region well. The foursome induces many echoic, dubby effects in the album opener which are prevalent throughout the album. Another noticeable characteristic of the EP is the precise and flexible guitar work. Rather than relying on simple power chords, Kayavibe leaves almost no empty sound-space. Distorted solos and riffs saturate the verses and choruses to the brim of being too detailed.
In almost every song there is reggae’s skank progression, popular to the majority of reggae phenoms. The only difference in rhythm progression arises in the song Bounce and The Bangover, where a fresher drum sample stresses different beats.
My favorite song on Kayavibe’s EP is either Sticky or Living Single. They both have a strong, upbeat bassline that is accompanied by a toe-tapping, head bobbing skank, as well as a message exemplifying the stress of having a significant other. Living Single is a song about the single life, and how the classic one night stand outweighs the benefit of starting a relationship. This song has one of the more happy-go-lucky harmonies and lyrics: “Notice you don’t see no chain and ball attached to me.”
The Bangover is the last song, which reminds me most of American party reggae bands such as Ballyhoo! and label-mates The Supervillains. The tango-like beat carries upon distorted Arpeggios on the guitar while the vocals encircle a line in the chorus, We party way too hard.
This album differs from others such that it carries a much more serious musical vibe to it. On top of the carefree sounds and harmonies, Kayavibe mixes their party message with deeper, rhythmically-motivated tracks such as Bounce. These rhythms hit home to my ears, as Kayavibe took party reggae to a new level with their seven song Self Titled EP.
Written & Reviewed by: Matt Emodi
[Editors Note: All reviews are reflective of the album in it’s entirety, from start to finish. These reviews are the honest opinion of each writer/reviewer, expressing their feedback as a genuine fan of the music. Each star rating reflects their review of the album, not the band. Music is subjective. Regardless of the review or star rating, we encourage you to listen to the music yourself & form your own opinion. Spread the awareness of all music in its art & contribution]