Kaktus Einarsson
Album ‘Kick The Ladder’ released May 21st via One Little Independent Records
Stream lead single ‘Kick The Ladder’
‘Kick The Ladder’ the anticipated debut album from Icelandic composer and songwriter Kaktus Einarsson, frontman of post-punk outfit Fufanu, will be released by One Little Independent on May 21st.
It was produced by Kaktus, alongside Swiss electronic composer Kurt Uenala aka Null & Void (who’s production credits include Depeche Mode, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Kills, Dave Gahan/Soulsavers and Moby), and finished in New York City. Having just become a parent for the first time himself, childhood and naivety is something at the forefront of Kaktus’s mind.
Across the album he sings about optimistic dreams and memories, how as we age we lose sight of what we want from life, as well as the recent deportation of immigrants and their children from Iceland, some of whom have lived there all their lives. Einarsson (b. 1992) has led a remarkable musical life. Born and raised in Reykjavík, he was playing as part of experimental electronic act Ghostigital at the tender age of ten.
In Fufanu, he opened hometown shows for Radiohead and Red Hot Chilli Peppers. The band also supported Blur in Hyde Park, and stormed the festival circuit, appearing at the likes of Primavera Sound, Rock Werchter, Musilac and Down The Rabbit Hole. Now aged 28, Kaktus is beginning a new chapter with ‘Kick The Ladder’. Having honed his understanding of songwriting, recording, and production, the LP is the culmination of his experience in contemporary classical and pop music, and bridges the two sides of his work. Kaktus wrote the album in Iceland, then developed its sound in Copenhagen in collaboration with French prepared piano experimentalist Thibault Gomez.
“I was using my knowledge of extended playing techniques and the contemporary repertoire, and getting them into my pop music,” he says. “We replaced synths with acoustic sounds that are familiar, but unfamiliar in many ways. It’s all organic, there are no artificial effects: we created all the effects with this one instrument, the grand piano. We tried it for every situation. To build up tension and suspension in songs and sounds we would scratch, e-bow and regular bowing the strings inside of the piano for example, and even play with brooms on the belly of the grand piano. Used it even as a drum machine!”
The result is a profound, melodic record with an expansive and innovative sound. The album also sees Kaktus evolve as a vocalist and lyricist. “Every song on this album is a love letter to my environment, and my surroundings,” he says. “Some of the songs are a dialogue between two people, others might be written to nature, and what is happening to our planet.”Tracklist:
- Kick The Ladder
- Oceans Heart
- Hypnotized
- No Runaway
- Daydream Echo
- Gone To Bed
- My Driver
- 45rpm
- Story Of Charms
- One Of Those
- Space Soul
- Chimes
Album opener Kick The Ladder commences to the most expansive atmosphere perfectly curated from the get-go. A 5-minute innovative exploration that relishes the tender chimes, biting bass, and billowing notes. The fragile lyrics deliver this impressive and honest drive. The lead rhythm soon announces itself and its fierce inclusion into the orchestration provides this addictive pull to the movement. This is an explosive composition, it takes you on its essential wander and keeps you hooked throughout.
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