UNCLE KID

Edinburgh based artist Uncle Kid, produces all his own music, with spoken words.  He touches on different topics, which range from broken family and mental health struggles, through to binge drinking, politics and a general sense of alienation in society.  Uncle Kid was previously part of indie-folk band The Last September and he now explores darker themes, merging folk guitar lines with moody synth lines and orchestral arrangements.  His debut single 'Supermarket Sweep' took on the subject of the pandemic.  With a suitably yet unsettling music video to accompany the track that was filmed everyday during lockdown.  He has since released his debut EP 'Indistinct Chatter'.  

One thing that you will notice on the the first track 'Lamplig' is that Uncle Kid delivers his lyrics in a spoken tone.  Which brings out a sort of unusual atmosphere to the track, one that you can't seem to place a finger on and cannot seem to shake off for a while, which is what makes his style and sound so unique.  The instrumentation breathes right into those deep dark tones the cellos, industrial like synth elements and the heaviness from the drums, all wrap themselves around his delicately delivered voice in a hauntingly captivating way.  'Supermarket Sweep' dives in deeper with those dark tones instrumentally, he still continues with the spoken lyric and what is so unusual about his vocal tone is passion fills his words, but he speaks in an almost monotone style, which really brings a sense of uneasiness to anyone listening.  Instrumentally the track heads into industrial electronic, with those dark undertones and the minor key this is a track that takes you beyond your musical comfort.

'Hermano' begins with a monologue style synth melody that is a mix of those dark feelings with an ethereal tone, it is simply stunning.  This melody continues throughout, with those same industrial elements that we have heard previously.   Uncle kids voice again delivers those soft tones, but this time sitting in the background of the track and letting the instrumentation take over.  The song gradually becomes more intense as it gains a depth ready to just engulf your ears.  'Superhuman' is the closing track on the EP and what a track to close out on.  It still holds the same sounds and textures as the previous tracks, but this one brings a more up tempo feeling that is brought about by a drum and bass sounding drumbeat.  The vocals, similar to 'Hermano' sit back in the mix, allowing the music to create the impact.  It is almost like a combination of the all the previous tracks and it certainly feels like the EP has come full circle. 

'Indistinct Chatter' is minimalistic and simplistic both instrumentally and lyrically, yet there is a complexity that can be heard in the production.  Each element that you hear within each track has been carefully thought out and placed, the dark tones of the bass/ orchestra sections and the intricate synth elements that dance over the top of the drum depths, they all get stuck in your head and you can't help but be completely blown away.  If you like your dark and moody trip hop then this is an EP that you have to hear.

INSTAGRAM - uncle_kid_music

FACEBOOK - unclekidmusic

TWITTER - @uncle_kid_music