Love Heart Cheat Code

Hiatus Kaiyote’s spastic, fusion-laden mishmash of Neo-Soul was never really my thing, but there’s simply no ignoring this project: just an absolutely ridiculous amount of sounds, genres, ideas, and moods, all basically exploding from start to finish. These guys’ insane musical chops allow them to do just about anything, and I’ve simply never heard a band with that kind of technical talent making music that doesn’t feel like theoretical slop: this is genuinely good listening. The project’s instant-shiftiness and tonal insanity will no doubt put a few grumpy panties in a bunch, but in general I find this wackiness to just make things more fun. That is, considering the immense skill and uncompromising vision it’s derived from; unlike 1,000 probably-equally-awesome/nearly-unlistenable releases I could mention, this project isn’t just a novelty: it’s a really damn good, thoroughly coherent album. The twists and turns are huge and swifter than instant coffee, but together they have a good impact. The record’s short runtime of just thirty-six minutes serves this really well. This wasn’t one of my more highly-anticipated releases of the week by any means, but one of my week’s most satisfying listens. Like: there’s not a song on here I dislike, and even when some track or other feels a little under-developed or indistinct, there’s a good reason for it. Beauty above all else, especially then: ‘Love Heart Cheat Code’ is beautiful, not just. Hiatus Kaiyote took the density of their last couple projects and fused it together with some of the catchiest hooks, funkiest grooves, and most tonally impressive playing I’ve heard all year. Not everyone will be into this project, but those who are will walk away with a uniquely mind-blowing experience.

HIATUS KAIYOTE - LOVE HEART CHEAT CODE

RATING - 8.4/10

GENRE - Neo Soul, jazz, funk

FAVORITE TRACKS - Telescope, Dimitri, White Rabbit