In just under a month, we'll be sinking our teeth into Hiatus Kaiyote's brand new album, Choose Your Own Weapon. Their three-track EP By Fire and lead single "Breathing Underwater" have already given us an idea of the musical direction their heading in this go 'round, and they drop another hint with the latest release from the set, "Shaolin Monk Motherfunk."
It's a quirky title for a song, for sure, but don't let the name fool you, this is a serious track from the Down Under four-piece. For the song's first half, they tap heavily into their jazz and soul influences. Lead singer Nai Palm channels her inner jazz singer to deliver a lush vocal over the swinging soundbed that her bandmates lay down. But, as they are wont to do, HK doesn't just keep the groove in one place for too long. Soon, they go from soothing swing to a harmonic build-up that is almost too beautiful for words before the pendulum swings once again, capping the groove off with their futuristic soul stylings. While not the kind of funk you'd expect from a song titled "Shaolin Monk Motherfunk," it's without a doubt one of the best things we've heard this year so far.
Drop into HK's groove right here and be sure to catch them during their North American tour, dates for which can be found below.
Hiatus Kaiyote North American Tour Dates:
May 02 Providence, RI - The Met
May 03 New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre
May 05 New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre *sold out
May 07 Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club
May 08 Philadelphia, PA - Underground Arts
May 09 Washington, DC - U Street Music Hall
May 11 Chicago, IL - Double Door
May 12 Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line Music Cafe
May 14 Boulder, CO – The Fox Theatre
May 17 Seattle, WA - Neumo's
May 19 San Francisco, CA - The Independent
May 20 Los Angeles, CA - The Roxy *sold out
May 21 Santa Ana, CA - Constellation Room
May 22 San Diego, CA – House Of Blues Voodoo Room
May 23 Las Vegas, NV - Insert Coin(s)
May 26 Austin, TX - The Parish
May 27 Dallas, TX - Trees
May 29 Atlanta, GA – Vinyl
May 30 Philadelphia, PA – The 8th Annual Roots Picnic @ Festival Pier
May 31 Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage
