Swedish band Killing Kind consume across their second album, Being Human — strutting a darkly impactful melding of post-punk and synth-driven entrancement. Recorded at the legendary Sunlight Studio with producer Tomas Skogsberg, the album pairs its memorable sound with poignant themes, tackling the urgency of modern anxieties amidst explorations of memory, mortality, and technological unease.
“Humanity” opens the album in riveting form, stirring with spacey synths and lonesome post-punk guitar tones — jangling seamlessly into sturdy vocals that aspire to “build a legacy.” Depictions of fading memories and introspections on humanity continue amidst the moody atmospheric assortment, blending steady vocal precision with rumbling guitars and sporadic electronic infusions. The ensuing “Desperately Holding On” enthralls in its textured post-punk sound as well, bolstered by visceral lyrics that encounter the world’s climate crisis. The questioning of “what’s going to last” and “are we really trying?” sends chills, poignantly.
Another standout track, “Let the Demons Take the Win” exudes a darkly theatrical captivation — beckoning with nocturnal allure into a title-touting vigor, following a mystique-filled build-up of synths and intense vocals that remind stirringly of Depeche Mode. The release ends with sating impact as well, via finale “Distant World.” Glistening keys and a post-punk undercurrent envelop, concluding the release with further soundscape-rich immersion and dramatic vocal delights. Being Human stands out as a fantastic post-punk full-length from Killing Kind.
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“Let the Demons Take the Win” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
