With its synthesizers, echoing drum machines, and simple but catchy tunes, “Kids in LA,” the latest album from Los Angeles indie duo Kisses, easily makes listeners nostalgic for the 80s.
The electro-pop duo known as Kisses has cultivated a sound unique to this decade, although it is reminiscent of others. The band is well known for incorporating retro influences through the use of analog keyboards and mellow vocals to create its signature pop songs. “Kids in LA” is the band’s sophomore album and continues to prove that the band’s nostalgic pop tunes are here to stay.
Although the entire album is comprised of only nine tracks, these songs are just enough to capture the light and pungent qualities of the album.
The opening track “Up All Night” begins slowly but then progresses into an immediate positive beat that sets up the general upbeat sound of the album. It’s catchy and easily danceable. However, although acoustically pleasing, it is hard to catch any greater lyrical meaning in “Up All Night,” as singer Jesse Kivel simply croons repeatedly, “I feel different tonight.” This seeming lack of lyrical substance appears to recur throughout the album. Nonetheless, it does not detract too much from everything else the band has to offer musically.
Some of the album’s most uplifting sounds are found in “Funny Heartbeat” and “Huddle.” They both encapsulate the sound of the 80s and at times channel 70s disco through the electronic yet dreamy synthesizers and drum beats that resemble group clapping. To be succinct, they just make listeners want to groove.
A large aspect to these retro-influenced songs is Kivel’s voice, which ultimately shines in more calming tracks like “The Hardest Part.” Kivel’s overall nonchalant method of singing complements “The Hardest Part,” a soothing track that focuses on problems of falling in love (“Falling in love is the hardest part”). Without much inflection and just enough conviction, Kivel’s voice reflects vocals that are simply not too prominent in this era of auto tune.
However, it’s not entirely Kivel’s vocals that make up the light and fun duo that is Kisses. Girlfriend and band member Zinzi Edmundson contributes occasionally throughout the album both as backup and featured vocals. “Air Conditioning” is the first track in which listeners are introduced to the second half of Kisses, as Edmundson adds a feminine softness to the chorus.
As the main vocalist in “Adjust Glasses,” Edmundson and her vocals shine. The harmony that is created brings another dimension to the album by changing the vocal dynamic between Kivel’s deep voice and Edmundson’s soprano voice.
It’s also songs like “Adjust Glasses,” “Bruins” and “At the Pool” that slow down the album. Each of the songs feature tempos that are slower than the rest and create a certain dreamy aspect to the album. “At the Pool” is slow, relaxing, and at times makes listeners pensive, as the lyrics read, “Don’t be so cynical/ Don’t be so trivial,” whereas “Bruins” highlights synth sounds, bass, and electronic sounds that make it a bit sleepy at times.
While keeping true to its retro pop sounds, “Kids in LA” contributes to Kisses’ repertoire with its electronics, snappy drum beats and catchy tracks. It manages to highlight the best parts of music from past decades like the 70s and 80s and in doing so, keeps listeners both yearning for and grooving to that same old nostalgia.