Within the context of a playlist, any one of a dozen songs here could bridge '50s bop to '60s MPB, or '70s art rock to '80s boogie, or '90s neo-soul to 2000s dubstep. Equally remarkable is that none of it seems devised. It's like these musicians simply radiate the stuff.
At 70 minutes long, there's a lot to digest but it's worth persevering with as repeated listens gradually unveil a musical universe unlike any other. [Sep 2015, p.89]
The album's weakest points come in the shape of some unnecessary interludes that only act as murky limbos between its better parts.... Other than that, Hiatus Kaiyote have put together a project that is both vibrant and uninhibited in its nature.
I would recommend this album to any interesting in experimental R&B / neo-soul. The lead singing has an interesting style and the beats takeI would recommend this album to any interesting in experimental R&B / neo-soul. The lead singing has an interesting style and the beats take such unusual twists and turns. This is one of my favorite albums of 2015 and was an issue choice to buy on vinyl.…Expand
Hiatus Kaiyote's Choose Your Weapon is a complete album experience, served best by a full listening. The band creates a tapestry of diverseHiatus Kaiyote's Choose Your Weapon is a complete album experience, served best by a full listening. The band creates a tapestry of diverse images while maintaining a strong sense of continuity: while tracks like Swamp Thing, Fingerprints, and By Fire sound like they ought not be by the same artist, let alone on the same record, they all share a similar harmonic pentatonic "fingerprint", as it were; the same goes for Atari and Prince Minikid, which share a single-step chord change despite having significantly different musical surfaces. Nai Palm's carefully-weaved and complex vocal harmonies complement her incredible, incendiary lead performance. Perrin Moss is, somehow, always both on and off the beat, handling complex time changes and rhythmic complexities with apparent ease. Simon Mavin on keyboards and Paul Bender on bass both demonstrate nothing short of virtuosity on their respective instruments: Bender lays the bass on thick on tracks such as Swamp Thing and provides intricate counterpoint on Molasses, while Mavin creates a varied ethereal soundscape with his synthesizer that defines and permeates the album. Choose Your Weapon is an album for the ages, and fortunately for all of us is only the sophomore effort of this most up-and-coming band, Hiatus Kaiyote.…Expand
I really dont think there are any other band around right now that sound like HK. From the onslaught of complex rhythms interwoven throughI really dont think there are any other band around right now that sound like HK. From the onslaught of complex rhythms interwoven through many hours of studio work, to the dank chord changes, to Nai Palms uniquely poetic lyrics. 9/10 would recommend.…Expand
Modern, Expire-mental, and a great understanding of R&B.
Pros:
Chord progressions on point, nice sense of melody, pretty production all overModern, Expire-mental, and a great understanding of R&B.
Pros:
Chord progressions on point, nice sense of melody, pretty production all over it, psychedelic vibes, and top notch vocals. What more could you ask for?
Cons:
Lacks a little bit of dynamics, could use a stronger sense of harmony, not very memorable, nothing spectacular.…Expand
Fantastic album; smooth, unassuming and luscious production. The vocals are unrelentingly delicious. Also a very versatile album, fillsFantastic album; smooth, unassuming and luscious production. The vocals are unrelentingly delicious. Also a very versatile album, fills whatever void you need it to. Highly recommended (9.2-9.5/10).…Expand
After I listened to "Choose Your Weapon" by Hiatus Kaiyote, I would endorse the album and recommend that you give it a listen. While it isAfter I listened to "Choose Your Weapon" by Hiatus Kaiyote, I would endorse the album and recommend that you give it a listen. While it is true that this album is well put together, it lacks the certain oomph that my favorite music has... The production quality is great on this album and everything flows smoothly and psychedelically as intended. The chord progressions are satisfyingly jazzy under the R&B style vocals that are sung so soulfully. While all the songs are indeed unique, they don't really have any distinguishing features that set them apart from each other. That being said, I think that this album is more effective as background music than as an attention-grabbing masterpiece. When I could not a recall any favorite songs from "Choose Your Weapon" it really spoke to the way that all the songs meshed together. That's okay though, this album doesn't need to have hits, as I was able to listen to the entirety of the album without truly being bored by the music.…Expand
