Photo Credit: Ruven Afanador
Norwegian producer/songwriter Kyrre Gørvell-Dahl, also known as Kygo released his first track “Firestone” at the end of 2014. As of August 2017, the track has reached over 450 million views on YouTube and 530 million plays on Spotify.
He released his debut album Cloud Nine on May 13, 2016. He became the first house music producer to perform at an Olympics closing ceremony on August 21, 2016. Kygo is very well known throughout the EDM scene.
He has collaborated with many artists such as, John Legend, Ellie Goulding, Conrad, Selena Gomez, and Ed Sheeran.
It seems like forever, but on Friday, November 3, Kygo finally dropped his sophomore album, Kids In Love. The eight track LP has undoubtedly lived up to the hype. As an avid Kygo fan, I would say this LP is one of best album releases 2017 has seen thus far. Each song will make you feel like a lovestruck teenager tangled up in a summer romance.
It will make you feel like you’re right back in high school. He introduces different types of genres, emotions, and vocals to the album. The album was worth the wait and each song can easily be a single but there are a few that stand out. Throughout the week, the 26-year-old dropped a new single every day leading up to the album release date. It all began with the set’s title track, released earlier this month, “Kids in Love” featuring The Night Games. The song is colorful and big like an ’80s rock ballad.
The first track “Never Let You Go” features English dance musician, John Newman, who is known for his hit song, “Love Me Again.” The three minute and fifty-three second track has a hint of folk and country flavor. The beat mixed with Newman’s vocals easily makes “Never Let You Go” one of 2017’s best tropical dance songs.
Another interesting track features American pop rock band, One Republic and is titled “Stranger Things.” The pop ballad has a soothing melody and lyrics that celebrate those who are different and unique.
We left the light / That’s ordinary from the start
We look for stranger things / ‘Cause that’s just who we are
Had the album dropped before the summer, “Stranger Things” could have been the song of the summer. It is one of the best tracks on the LP. The melody builds on Kygo’s Tropical House style. Tropical House is a subgenre of deep house music which has been made popular by artists like Kygo and Avicii. The exciting dance song gives listeners high-spirited vibes and is different from most of the music Kygo has put out.
Each track has a unique beat and vocal but Track No.7, “Permanent” is by far the best song on the album. Piano plays as the foundation to this 80’s inspired melody. J. Hart’s vocal over the wholly pop beat has the power to transform fans back to their high school prom. The anthem describes heartbreak but also the good times through powerful lyrics.
We made mistakes/but we both didn’t mean it
And we held the world/ we were turning it
For a moment there/ it was permanent
The album wraps up with “I See You.” The track features the vocals of the raspy whisperer-musician, Billy Raffoul . It’s another slow piano ballad with a tambourine line. Billboard writer, Kat Bein says, “When the hook kicks in, we’re so full back in the memory of an old love, the memory doesn’t even hurt anymore.”
It was hard to find any song that wasn’t impressive on this album, but I could do without a few songs. One track that isn’t up to par with the rest of the album has to be “With You.” The song isn’t terrible and the lyrics are there but the “pop-y” song just fell short. It almost seems like a cheaper version of “Stranger Things.”
Another track I could do without or simply skip when listening to the album is “Riding Shotgun” which is a collaboration with producer Oliver Nelson. The song features vocals from pop artist, Bonnie McKee. While the beat is hands down the best part of the track, the lyrics are lacking and McKee doesn’t seem like the perfect voice for the track. It’s hard to understand anything she’s saying but, when you do, it will leave you feeling underwhelmed.
Overall, Kids In Love features some of Kygo’s best work and hands down best music of 2017. EDM and Dance fans will be impressed with all 8 tracks and different genres on the album. Along with the new LP, Kygo will begin The Kids In Love tour with specials guests, Gryffin, Blackbear, and SEEB. The tour will begin with a heavily-European leg that kicks off in Finland in February 2018 and will make its way to the states with a Chicago performance on May 5, 2018.
Fans can get tickets at WWW.Ticketmaster.com, Keyword: Kygo
Shadia Judeh
News Reporter