Catalogue number: UKM 051
Release date: 09.12.2016
vinyl & CD
Info:
KDMS, the duo made up of London singer/songwriter Kathy Diamond and Silesian producer Max Skiba, return with a brilliant sophomore album of club anthems and torch songs, synthetic beats and live instruments. “The New Old Normal”, out 5th December, follows their debut album “Kinky Dramas & Magic Stories” on Gomma.
On “The New Old Normal” Max Skiba (who follows last year’s massive “Shanghouse” on Prins Thomas’ Internasjonal imprint) presents his most mature and developed tunes, whist UK artist Kathy Diamond’s vocals (known for her work with Maurice Fulton on Permanent Vacation records) reference the late 70s disco icon, adding charm and emotion throughout. Despite the album’s overall pop sensibility, this is a set of eleven intricate tracks, touching upon multiple genres and quite often blending them all together: from breezy yacht rock, Paisley Park funk, Hall & Oates’ blue-eyed soul to Kompakt-style house music. It’s T-Rex glam and disco glitter, complemented with a techno cover of Kate Bush’ “Babooshka”.
The band’s debut album saw unexpected support from artists like Snoop Dogg (on his one and only disco DJ mix „Snoopalicius”) and Hot Chip (several remixes by band-members, notably Alexis’ Taylor “Wonderman” cover). As well as remixes from disco day one pioneer and legend Nicky Siano (The Gallery, Studio54), Soft Rocks, Morgan Geist (Storm Queen), Nick McCarthy (Franz Ferdinand) among others.
On “The New Old Normal”, Max and Kathy are accompanied by several high-profile guests, including the unmistakable Kurt Maloo of Double. Cover art comes courtesy of Filip Pagowski, the international graphic designer known for his work with Comme De Garcons and most recently for his artwork for Drake.
Combining hypnotic rhythms with addictive pop melodies that carry clever lyrics – “The New Old Normal” is a rare achievement in today’s formulaic world of club-inspired pop music.