Back in April, Kindness’ Adam Bainbridge described his hesitance to retread old ground with his second studio album. “We’re in an era when we have the freedom to be completely postmodern in the collage we make, the things we’re inspired by, the sounds we use,” he told Pitchfork. “It would be boring as hell, lazy, and cowardly to just do what you’ve already done. I did my first record. I don’t need to do it again.”
So has the sophisticated star of sax-led finesse lived up to his statement? New album Otherness retains the neo-soul led intimacy and fat boogie basslines of his debut - drawing from classic albums by D’Angelo, Kate Bush, Herbie Hancock, Prince and Sade - while pulling in an array of collaborators to plump up his sound: on album opener World Restart, Night Slug protégé and twisted R&B singer Kelela drapes her vocals over big beats and brass, while Swedish pop pioneer Robyn’s wry, world-weary words dance across Who Do You Love?, not to mention cameos from the omni-present Devonté Hynes and Ghanaian rapper M.ainifest.
Listen to the follow up to World, You Need a Change of Mind ahead of its release on the player below and let us know your thoughts.
