Dutch-born American singer Leven Kali has officially released his new EP, ‘LK99: The Prelude’, via Def Jam Recordings.
The six-track collection is a kaleidoscopic jaunt through funk, RnB, rock and jazz – simultaneously referential but future-facing. Scorched by the sun, these songs move between notes on desire and companionship, and numbers that touch on the frenzied, apocalyptic state of the world; think Miguel meets Parliament Funkadelic.
On the opener ‘Blackrock’, lashings of electric guitar underscore an outpouring of pent-up emotion about the algorithms and indoctrination. A poignant monologue finds him urging, “The CIA already got your mind, now whenever you open your eyes all you see is AI.”
Elsewhere, a funkified groove froths beneath the surface on ‘In The End’. Kali reflects on a troubled relationship while singing, “Maybe it’s the drink, maybe it’s the chills, maybe it’s the doctor that gets paid for all your pills.”
Leven Kali is a Grammy-recognised artist, known most for his work as a producer and writer on Beyoncé’s ‘Renaissance’ and ‘COWBOY CARTER’. He served as a co-writer on ‘Renaissance’ tracks; ‘Alien Superstar’, ‘Plastic Off the Sofa’, album highlight ‘Virgo’s Groove’ and ‘Summer Renaissance’. On ‘COWBOY CARTER’, he co-wrote on the Raphael Saadiq-produced belter, ‘Bodyguard’.
Leven Kali’s EP arrives ahead of an album due this October. He’ll hit the road in Europe to commemorate the release, with shows at London’s Oslo, Manchester’s YES and Ireland’s Academy Green Room.
