K.Raydio & O-D: One Drop Review
If there’s anyone that’s shaping up to have a banner year, it’s K.Raydio. Hot off the heels of the critical acclaim of her LP with Psymun called “LucidDreamingSkylines,” a hazy and cacophonous opus that had K.Raydio waxing poetic and personal reflections over Psymun’s plodding kicks and static-driven sample chops, K.Raydio teams up with O-D for “One Drop,” a record that still showcases K.Raydio’s wondrous yet cool vocals over O-D’s spacey synths and swinging drumlines.
Kicking things off with the warm introduction of “The Initial,” it quickly leads into the title track with nicely strewn rhodes as K.Raydio kicks an autobiographical tale of sorts, while “Underdog” gets things in a triumphant mood with comfortable guitar work. Elsewhere, the current single “The Back Wall” is a bonafide gem of a jam, with subtle synthwork and head-nodding drums. The interlude “Float” provides for a subtle break in the continuity, and then things pick right up with on the bounce heavy “First Name,” with choppy synths sprinkled throughout, while acoustic guitar strums throughout the self-confident “goodmorninglove.” All the while, O-D is able to provide some structure while still keeping things adventurous in the soundscapes he provides to K.Raydio.
As if you needed evidence as to why K.Raydio is one of the best vocalists in the cities, “One Drop” provides plenty of evidence in spades, especially on the tune “Miss Turner,” where she keeps it cool without getting lost in the soundscape, whereas on “Gossip,” her vocals are just as sharp and confident. Elsewhere she keeps things rocking on the 9-to-5 anthem “Endure,” and on all the remaining cuts of this album, K.Raydio never loses her step or her cool, giving plenty of breathing room for the production while allowing her vocals to keep triumphant without being overstated. With “One Drop,” K.Raydio & O-D keep things funky, fresh, consistent while keeping all the soul in tact.
K.Raydio & O-D’s “One Drop” is out now. On Saturday, November 8th, K.Raydio & O-D will be celebrating the release of “One Drop” with a release party at Icehouse in Minneapolis. Performing with K.Raydio & O-D will be Metasota & Tek, and the event will be hosted by Medium Zach of Big Quarters. Tickets are $6 in advance, and $8 at the door on the day of the event. Stream “One Drop” below.
– Ali (@egyptoknuckles, CEO Background Noise Crew)
Writer / co-founder
