British chillout act Kinobe recently released their brand-new full-length album, ‘Over The Horizon’, on the 4th of August via the SGKL imprint. Originally from West London, the band came together in 1998 and currently consists of Julius Waters and Chuck Norman. Their sound could best be described as an enigmatic Electronic blend of Downtempo, Chillout and Lounge.
‘Over The Horizon’ is a stunning Electronic and Downtempo focused album. Yet, it is abundantly alive with Jazzy influences. Reminiscent of artists such as Air, this fusion of organic and man-made sounds creates a euphony of enigmatic sonic textures. It’s undoubtedly relaxing, and always interesting. It’s meditative, without getting too deep. Like a peaceful soiree to the seaside. Overall, listening to ‘Over The Horizon’ is truly a very relaxing experience.
Stream / Download: Kinobe – Over The Horizon
Kicking off the LP with a kaleidoscopic bang, ‘The Rainbow’ is exceptionally chill, with an acoustic guitar for rhythm, sporadic keys, and Kinobe’s ever-present sustained guitar notes which give all of their tracks a sense of space. There is also an abundance of spacey synth scales that give it a real psychedelic-rock feel, reminiscent of Pink Floyd.
One of the happiest tracks on the album would have to be ‘Honey Eater’. The rhythm of the bass and drums work in tandem to take you on a metaphorical stroll through a flower field, while the pleasant percussion and guitar lick makes you want to close your eyes and grin. Throw in a beautiful woodwind flute for some flavour and you have a track bathed in natural tranquility.
‘Falling Star’, one of 2 singles on the album, is more upbeat and emotional. The rhythm guitar holds down a catchy groove and progression while jazzy keys echo throughout. Then, a beautiful yet melancholic string progression announces itself, anchoring the main emotional motif of the track. In addition, there’s some lead guitar reinforcing the dreamy, melancholic tone. It feels relaxing, yet, brooding, like a longing for home or a lover you’ve yet to meet.
‘Lost in Time’ is a particularly relaxing track. With a drawn out, surf-rock guitar and lullaby-esque key scales, it elicits images of sunsets and sunrises. It’s especially transcendental, sucking the listener in, and refusing to let go. A hypnotic synth arpeggio plays throughout, giving the track a sense of repetition and structure, while the strings and woodwind sounds are lush and contemplative.
Overall, the LP is a stunning display of musicality and arrangement. We struggled to pick which tracks to write about, as each song is special and has its own place on the album. It’s one of those records you start and leave on till the end. The songs and sounds are similar enough to give a sense of continuity, yet each track feels fresh and vibrant in its own way. It’s introverted , occasionally introspective, yet always tranquil.
Kinobe had this to say “This album is a sonic representation of driving down the highways of my mind at sunrise towards Shangri-la, which is always hiding just over the horizon.”
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