IN REVIEW: 2-SONGS - KIOWA

Welcome back. Ivan's taking this one for the indubitable Kiowa. Send music shit and anything else you want to [ fosterhildingmusic@gmail.com ] or DM me on Instagram.

photos courtesy of Kiowa.

Kiowa returns with their second release simply titled, 2-Songs, following up the excellent debut E,P Forever ends today. A blistering excursion in under five minutes--but it leaves a lasting impression. It manages to tread so much ground so very quickly.

I got enough fucking friends sets the stage and tears down the curtain with pummeling Dillinger Escape Plan-reminiscent jittery, angular, stabbing rhythm. It feels like a digital error in the grey matter of your brain tearing apart your gaunt flesh with cutting wind. Jack, whom I may add is, in my opinion, already one of the most talented drummers in the world, let alone the country, displays so much precision followed by an impassioned metalcore groove backed by the pulsing heart-like bass of Nate. The song descends as it ends in the sustain of a, dare I say, gnarly driven power chord.

Carry on begins with David’s sole guitar, embracing the warm full production of the release before hi-hats usher in the new rhythm. The uplifting tone of the rebellious guitar bridges early 2000s metalcore with skramz, which is a pattern I’ve noticed among acts like Kiowa and Votive. Now, I’m not sure who is doing the vocals because typically in true warlike fashion Kiowa has 10 vocalists. That might be an exaggeration, but someone between Erick, Tess, Christian, and Coleman are doing the vocals and writing the lyrics and they are fraught with vengeance and fury. Somehow, they also match the hopeful upheaval of the guitars denoting Icarus imagery, “I’ll try and try to break the ceiling.” A guttural wretch opens up to a two guitar emo conversation with bright, beautiful harmony and cymbals that delicately reintroduce a full rhythm again against somber clean vocals.

“I see the sun, shining through, another night spent on the edge of my bed, and i’ll carry on, i’ll leave it at the door, don’t have to worry anymore, it’s hard to find a reason to fight, but the only thing i need is right in front of me, so i’ll carry on, i’ll leave it at the door, don’t have to worry anymore,” tugs at the heart before a final minute of glorious fury. With any good release, it leaves you wanting more.

With this release marking the end of 2024, I hope this means a full length will be in order soon, and I will not be surprised when it dazzles and solidifies Kiowa’s place in music history. Make sure to catch their electrifying live performances wherever you can. Kiowa is a band that is unforgettable, an earthquake, and an act of sonic warfare.

9/10

Stream 2-Songs.

-Ivan

See Kiowa live with Nuvolascura, With Open Arms, Foilsick, and Alyvia at Genghis Cohen on April 10th.

Also see them at California Kicks Fest 2 at Neck of the Woods on June 14th and 15th.

Also see them with Heavy Heavy Low Low, Duck Duck Goose, Cel Damage, and Lockslip at Chain Reaction on June 20th.