Hiatus Kaiyote gave us one of the best musical treats of last year when they dropped their three-song EP By Fire late last year. But, lest you forget, By Fire was the appetizer to what is sure to be the bountiful main course of Choose Your Weapon. With that album's May 5th release date nearing, the Australian quartet give us a preview with the album's first official release, "Breathing Underwater."
The song is heavy on HK's signature eccentric blend of soul, jazz and funk, but also brings a sensibility to '70s era Stevie Wonder jams. The synths and Rhodes ebb and flow throughout the track like waves, with the drums and bass guitar shifting and changing the rhythm at will. But the thing that holds it all together is Nai Palm's ethereal vocal. At times feverish and frenetic and others whispery and soft, it guides the listener throughout the more than five-minute jam, never letting the song's sea overtake you. In other words, the song is exactly what you'd expect from the quartet known for constantly pushing musical boundaries.
You can see the band do their thing live during their North American tour, which will see them hit stages at this month's SXSW Festival and then revisiting the States at the top of May, beginning with a date in NYC that coincides with Choose Your Own Weapon's release. You can check out "Breathing Underwater," as well as their upcoming tour dates, below.
Mar 18 Austin, TX – KCRW at The Parish
Mar 19 Austin, TX – YouTube at Copper Tank Brewing Co.
Mar 20 Austin, TX – Aussie BBQ at Brush Square Park
Mar 20 Austin, TX – Sound Sessions at The Tap Room
Mar 21 Austin, TX – Okayplayer at Bungalow
May 05 New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre
May 07 Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
May 08 Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts
May 09 Washington, DC – U Street Music Hall
May 11 Chicago, IL – Double Door
May 12 Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line Music Cafe
May 14 Boulder, CO – The Fox Theatre
May 17 Seattle, WA – Neumo’s
May 19 San Francisco, CA – The Independent
May 20 Los Angeles, CA – The Roxy
May 21 Santa Ana, CA – Constellation Room
May 22 San Diego, CA – House Of Blues Voodoo Room
May 23 Las Vegas, NV – Insert Coin(s)
May 26 Austin, TX – The Parish
May 27 Dallas, TX – Trees
May 29 Atlanta, GA – Vinyl
May 31 Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage
Jun 03 Providence, RI – The Met
