Kan Wakan - Moving On (2014)

On first glance, Kan Wakan’s new album, Moving On, is a knockout punch. Meaning, the album artwork is reason enough to check out this album. Not to mention the album features production and mixing by Grammy award winners Darrell Thorp (Radiohead, Beck, Gnarls Barkley) and Tom Elmhirst (Adele, Amy Winehouse, Arcade Fire). If you’re still not intrigued, Moving On atypically features the Metamorphosis Chamber Orchestra to provide a full orchestral sound.

The album starts off as strong as the credentials listed above. “Forever Found” rises up with a mixture of strings and electronic elements before kicking in and revealing the powerful voice of vocalist Kristianne Bautista. Kan Wakan establishes a sound early on, but has no fear experimenting beyond those basic boundaries. Bautista’s soulful voice will easily draw comparisons to Adele and Amy Winehouse. The group’s often retro-rock sound inspired by the 60’s and 70’s will further contribute to these comparisons. Kan Wakan keeps some space from other big name female vocalists though by incorporating a more psychedelic sound through the use of synths, organs, and spacey effects.

After the opening track, the mysterious “Moving On” and radio ready “Like I Need You” set the stage for a promising debut full-length. However, as the album moves into more psychedelic and spaced out sonic realms, it loses some flare. Not that anything stands as a clear mistake, but the less upbeat songs in the middle bring the band into a slight lull as the album progresses. Back to back psychedelic jams like “Are We Saying Goodbye” and “Sawdust” stand in opposition to the more straight forward feel Moving On initially established. The change in sound may appeal to some listeners, but could easily deter many fans of the first tracks from further listening. While the spaced out electronic section of Moving On can leave a listener longing for the initial groove Kan Wakan set off on, overall the album stands as a strong debut. Kan Wakan are definitely a group to watch out for as a big up and comer.