The eagerly awaited new music of Tom Misch dropped this week, two years after his album, Geography. What Kinda Music was released on Friday, the collaboration between Misch and Yusseff Dayes gracing us with more electro-pop energy and jazz that furthers the iconic sound Tom Misch is renowned for. My personal favourite will always be Geography, his catchy melodies of Lost in Paris and Movie will forever have a place in my heart. However, that does not mean the work of Misch and Dayes is to be undermined. As the album focuses more on musicality, his newest album becomes a refreshing edge to his musical identity. Working with Dayes, whose experimental aspect seems distanced from Misch’s sound, this partnership makes for a perfect but unexpected collaboration we didn’t know we needed.
Tidal Wave is, to me, the track that best showcases the sound of the album and is my personal favourite. Yusseff Dayes storms the beginning of the track and is met with Misch’s iconic vocals half-way. The smooth jazz base lies underneath as Misch’s soothing vocals meet to reach the climax, singing of chaos in the tidal wave as the drums overwhelm us. The song has a stripped back tone, something that seems to perfectly incorporate both of the musicians and their individual sounds. It blends the artists to produce this new tone.
Nightrider is also a particular favourite of the new album, having taken its place as Misch’s third most popular track on Spotify’s listings. Freddie Gibbs’ vocals offer a refreshing difference to this track, standing it apart from the rest of the album. But Misch is never far away, his classic vocals intermingling with that of Gibbs to discuss love and emotion. To me, this song would make for the perfect single, showcasing the best of all three artists as they work together seamlessly.
The album clearly focuses more on the music and less on the vocals, presenting the talented musicianship of Dayes and Misch, whilst also showcasing the latter’s high-quality production. By creating a gorgeous album that incorporates smooth jazz and melodious vocal, it brings something different to its audience that is unexpected but greatly valued by Misch’s fan base. It gives us everything we love of Tom Misch in huge doses, and that’s exactly what we needed from his newest release. This is the perfect soundtrack to a chilled-out Sunday so be sure to give it a listen.
By Grace Lea
