Artist: Kat Niles
Track: “Cool Air”
Album: Cool Air EP
Genre: Singer-Songwriter, Americana, Medieval Motet
Los Angeles artist Kat Niles does not take the road most traveled. Her songwriting takes influences from across a wide-spectrum: classic Americana artists, early aughts pop, and even medieval motets and choral pieces. And you can hear a little bit of all of these in the title track of her debut EP Cool Air.
The opening harmonies are layered and overlapping with gorgeous choral elements, with her elegiac guitar playing sounding almost like a lute with finger-picked melody Niles play. Utilizing loop pedals, she creates a full, lush sound that is absolutely serene. And then, the drum kicks in. The acoustic guitar hits deeper notes, and Niles’ vocals are delivered with an assertive heft that takes you by surprise.
The track morphs back to its airy highs as its six minutes come to a close. Violins enter the fray to give the song a melancholy denouement. It’s a stunning piece.
Check it out in our Check This 2023 Playlist!
The Indy Review 