London-based synthpop trio EKKOES return with their first new material in two years in the shape of the euphoric, rave-tinged comeback single ‘You Got the Light’, which hits ahead of the release of their highly-anticipated second album ‘Kinetik’, due 7 September on KIDS Records.
The band released their debut album ‘Elekktricity’ in 2016 with word of mouth building in electronic and pop circles as they supported The Human League on a full UK and European tour that winter. They followed this by supporting Erasure in the UK and Ireland earlier this year, as well as a pair of dates with the legendary German ZZT act Propaganda while they spent time in the studio. They have built a cult, but loyal and engaged audience, with ‘Kinetik’ set to be the record which announces them to the wider public.
EKKOES create beautifully-crafted pop songs, both melancholic and euphoric, underpinned by a dancefloor sensibility, with a sound that has been likened to New Order, Chvrches, Years & Years, The Pet Shop Boys and Hurts. Jon Beck and Limerick-born Rosalee O’Connell (who recently lent her vocals to the new Chicane album) are on vocals, while Dave Fawbert takes care of guitars, keyboards and programming.
“‘Kinetik’ is a very deliberate reaction against a lot of the music which currently dominates the charts,” says Dave. “I have always believed that the way to stand out is to do the opposite of what everyone else is doing, and so, because I was so utterly bored of the minimalism that is everywhere – with people afraid of making big choruses and constantly being introspective – we decided to go in completely the other direction – and aim for ‘maximalism’.”
“After the initial temptation to ‘go dark’, or to go more leftfield on a second album, we decided to throw the kitchen sink at everything and make it as big, bold and colourful as possible. It’s called ‘Kinetik’ because the majority of the tracks are upbeat and fast-paced, and the whole thing reflects the constant movement and energy that comes from living life in a major city.”
First single ‘You Got the Light’ demonstrates that sensibility perfectly, with rave pianos straight from the Hacienda, a giant chorus and an almighty groove providing a huge pop sugar rush perfect for the summer. The rest of ‘Kinetik’, once again produced and mixed by Fawbert, includes a stunning electronic ballad cover of Mega City Four’s cult 1993 track ‘Wallflower’, the Killers-esque anthem-in-waiting ‘Love Won’t Save You Now’, the seven-minute epic acid concept title track ‘Kinetik’ and the fragile, heartbreaking finale of ‘Nothing Here Lasts Forever’.
Having previously provided remixes for The Acid, Lana Del Rey, Sykur, British Electric Foundation and Kate Bush as well as an acclaimed – and unexpected – half an hour long re-edit of George Michael’s ‘Fastlove’, EKKOES are ready to move confidently forward with ‘Kinetik’.
Live dates:
September 10 – London, The Lexington (album release party)
September 12 – Sheffield, Cafe Totem (album release party)
October 31 – Ancienne Belgique, Brussels (with The Human League)
November 1 – De Effenaar, Eindhoven (with The Human League)
November 2 – Tivoli, Utrecht (with The Human League)
November 4 – De Oosterport, Groningen (with The Human League)
November 5 – Grosse Freiheit, Hamburg (with The Human League)
November 6 – Train, Aarhus (with The Human League)
November 8 – Vega, Copenhagen (with The Human League)
November 9 – Tradgarn, Gothenburg (with The Human League)
November 10 – Rockefeller, Oslo (with The Human League)
November 12 – Huxleys, Berlin (with The Human League)
November 13 – Capitol, Hannover (with The Human League)
November 14 – Batschkapp, Frankfurt (with The Human League)
November 16 – E-Werk, Cologne (with The Human League)
November 17 – Kursaal, Oostende (with The Human League)
November 18 – De Roma, Antwerp (with The Human League)
Find EKKOES online on their official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
