Portland, OR-based quartet Kallai continue to impress with a rock and shoegaze cohesion on “Falling,” a track that swirls together caressing textures and palpable emotion. Cascading guitars, subtle piano touches, and shimmering bass lines create a layered backdrop for vocals that radiate nostalgic longing, while the arrangement builds and releases with a hypnotic momentum.
The band has caught our attention with several past releases, including last year’s self-titled EP and a single a couple months ago, “The Wave.” That track represented the first single from Kallai’s upcoming album, We Are Forever, and “Falling” provides our second look at a full-length that we’re strongly anticipating.
“Falling” builds with atmospheric and emotive rock entrancement. A bustling bass undercurrent touts a nostalgic post-punk character, while the twinkling guitar jangles drive with a starry-eyed infectiousness. “Remember the games we played? I still feel the days away,” the vocals emit a retrospective yearning, admitting later “I’m never gonna give up, ’cause I need you beside me” as hazy backing textures bolster with a compelling warmness. Grittier guitar tones, with more driving guitar distortion, bolster a “falling in love with you” harmonious vocal spell for an especially memorable final minute, concluding the fantastic “Falling” with further immersive, beautifully constructed rock allure.
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We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
