Leven Kali is a man in demand these days. The singer-songwriter has contributed to some of the hottest releases of the past five years, including albums by Beyoncé, Durand Bernarr and Coco Jones. But he reserved some his best work for himself on his most recent project LK99. The set is chock-full of jams that showcase his range and has birthed some amazing visuals, including one for the sexy jam “BREATHE!” We’re now fortunate enough to get another creative visual, this time for his romantic cut “STARLET.”
The song is a jam reminiscent of early ’90s tracks like PM Dawn’s “Set Adrift On Memory Bliss.” It’s heavy on the programmed drums, vibe-y bass and stacked harmonies. It also holds a yearning that’s barely contained within the lyrics, with Leven singing on the chorus, “What you think ’bout love? / What you think ’bout lust? / Hard to think about anything else / All I’m thinkin’ ’bout is us.”
The song’s video taps into that early ’90s feel with mostly black-and-white visuals that use simple visual tricks to great effect. That includes quick pans, zooms and even mirroring effects to make things seem extra trippy. The best one, though, is when things turn ethereal. Leven and his leading lady are shown in footage filtered to look like a grainy, VHS-style recording. The couple is seen on a beach with their bodies outlined in glowing yellow as they revel in each other.
“STARLET” is another visual experience that only amplifies the craft and care that Leven Kali put into LK99. Give the video a look right here and then make sure to show Leven some love by picking up a copy of the album and/or streaming it at your retailer or streamer of choice.
