Navigating pivotal moments in her life from changing her path as a visual artist and having to re-learn how to sing after a major bike accident, Bel Kil’s debut EP ‘My Year’ is an expansive look into the world of Melbourne based Annabel Kilpatrick.
It can be relatively easy for artists to break through and cash in on the pop market. On the other hand, creating something with longevity can be significantly more difficult. With society’s perception of what’s ‘fashionable’ changing every few months and an oversaturation of artists cashing in on fleeting trends, most hit pop songs tend to maintain a short shelf life. After all, something can only be classified as the ‘hot new sound’ for as long as it’s still classified as ‘new.’
Unsurprisingly, the lucky few that remain are quite often the artists revered for bringing their own identity to the genre.
That’s where Bel Kil comes into the picture. From the mind of producer and engineer Annabel Kilpatrick, Bel Kil adopts an expansive style that lends from multiple genres, decades and influences, all whilst maintaining a modern pop edge.
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On her debut EP My Year, Kil highlights a blend of enigmatic dream-pop vocals, trip-hop percussive arrangements and funk-laden basslines in an immersive array of soundscapes that prove as an artist, Bel Kil isn’t trying to fit into just one box.
Now before the naysayers chime in, I’ll contend that it is hard to possess originality in this day and age, and sure, the heavy synth hooks may draw comparisons to Lorde and the string arrangements give off a sombre Lana Del Ray-esque quality. But that doesn’t damper the timeless quality of Kil’s songwriting, which, unlike many of her peers, displays all of the fundamental components of a catchy pop song, without reliance on repetition.
“It’s raw, honest, contemplative, reflective, uplifting and anthemic. Each song started without an intention, but rather an experimentation of sound and words that resonated with me and that developed into an idea I was eager to pursue,” Kil says.
Title track ‘My Year’ introduces slowed industrial synths and kaleidoscopic subdued vocals before kicking into vibrant percussive breaks and disco-orientated basslines; whilst ‘Escaping’ blends haunting whistled harmonies with acoustic guitars, delicate string arrangements and immersive vocal layering.
In another contrasting moment, ‘Cards’ ushers in 90’s trip-hop beats, ethereal synths and sleazy vocal harmonies akin to Air or Massive Attack. ‘Backup Plan’ adds more of a rock flair with the inclusion of funk-orientated choruses, sinuous basslines and harmonious backing vocals powerfully matching the swagger of Kills’ anthemic choruses.
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Presented with a wry, laid-back demeanour My Year offers an incisive perception of love and dreams, often masqueraded by vibrant, uplifting hooks. In the EP’s title track ‘My Year’, Kil powerfully pairs statements of her ex-partner’s intent alongside vibrant disco hooks and hip-hop-inspired breaks, profoundly stating “You keep me in your pocket, then light me up and deposit like a cigarette”.
As previously stated, pop music tends to have a cyclical nature, but yet it’s hard to imagine an era of pop that wouldn’t embrace My Year, with Kil’s debut effort standing up as a refreshing take on old and new characteristics of the genre.
Bel recently supported Odette for her ‘On Occasion’ Tour and launched her Debut single ‘Escaping’ at The LeadBeater to a packed-out show in August. This single also saw Bel receive Spotify editorial playlisting, as well as support from Max Quinn from Triple J, Pilerats, Ramona, MILKY, Sounds of Oz and more.
Label: Independent Release date: November 10
