Music - Part 310 - Kiwi

Kiwi – State Of Alert EP (Obadia Productions)

DL

Out Now

Italian alternative popstress releases her debut EP.  

Mariachiara Terragin (aka Kiwi) along with multi-instrumentalist Maxime Raguideau-Obadia has created a rather special EP.  From the delicate piano repeat of opener Dolls House, you can’t help to be hooked.

Hush-hush vocals over a subdued intro are soon smashed with a powerful voice which shouts over a new dark bass sound before re-visiting the piano intro.  It’s a fascinating piece of alternative pop and a thoroughly intriguing start to a fine collection of five tracks.

Comparisons to Bjork, Kate Bush and Annie Lennox are, to be frank misplaced.  A problem female vocalists apparently face as she really doesn’t sound like any of them.  Think more Emiliana Torrini circa her Love In The Time Of Science album and you have a far better representation, aside from Fearless which is a more regular piece of mainstream pop with an unusual percussive backbeat.

The title track is seductive and bordering haunting, almost minimalist in its approach maybe echoing Twin Peaks soundtrack at times and hints of Julee Cruise, it’s a strange choice for a main track as it wisps away as easily as it entered.

It’s on Make Me Happy where Kiwi she sounds more like Icelander Torrini.  Occasional high pitched tones (maybe where the alleged Bush connection comes to place) again pair with piano interludes and electro drum beats and a sumptuous bassline.

All five tracks seem at times incidental as they glide and float with a seemingly directionless power making near avant garde, post-ambient suggestions. Closer, Crystal Clear is simply beautiful in its simpleness, as her vocals perfect that they are often work as another instrument with her broken English not only endearing but captivating too.

The EP isn’t the most immediate of collections but is a lovely introduction to an artist who could well achieve a large following and this reviewer will certainly look forward to hearing more.

8.5/10


Links
Kiwi website
Kiwi on Twitter


Published on Louder Than War 1/10/14 - here