The destiny of summer time 2020 could also be up within the air as a result of COVID-19 pandemic, however Kygo nonetheless desires the world to bop — whether or not it’s on a seashore or at dwelling. On his splendid third album, Golden Hour (out now), the 28-year-old Norwegian DJ soars to new heights with 18 songs that pack a punch, all whereas staying true to his signature tropical home sound.
Six of the tracks have been launched forward of the complete undertaking, with “Increased Love” formally ushering within the new period in June 2019. Whitney Houston’s cowl of Steve Winwood’s 1986 basic is the clear standout of the bunch, coupling the late, nice singer’s immaculate vary with Kygo’s elegant manufacturing. Houston brings star energy to an in any other case little-known group of featured artists; nation star Zac Brown and pop-rock band OneRepublic are the one different massive names, and neither has achieved the identical legend standing, after all.
That mentioned, Brown, 41, and OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder make sturdy circumstances on Golden Hour. Their respective tracks, “Sometime” and “Lose Someone,” carry the burden of extra forgettable numbers by British singer-songwriters Joe Janiak (“Comply with”) and Haux (“Solely Us”). With a chanty, infectious refrain, Brown’s tune is a hidden gem, whereas OneRepublic’s slow-building ode to loss boasts the emotive storytelling for which Tedder, 40, has change into recognized.
A lot of the album, which is the follow-up to 2017’s Children in Love, stays true to the system that Kygo has perfected through the years: lush midtempos with wealthy piano melodies and beach-ready beat drops. Whereas some could argue that the music producer performs it secure by recreating the vibe of his earlier hits, his development as an artist is obvious.
“The Reality” that includes born-and-raised Philadelphian Valerie Broussard, for instance, is an attractive opener, with mesmeric reverb and lyrics a couple of associate altering over time and protecting the protagonist “up all evening, questioning why you lie.” Pop princess Kim Petras affords up one other seemingly fan favourite with the finger-snapping “Damaged Glass,” and indie star Sasha Sloan’s “I’ll Wait” is maybe probably the most beautiful EDM tune for the reason that late Avicii’s “Wake Me Up.”
Kygo continues to lift the stakes on Nashville-based musician Sam Tinnesz’s “Don’t Give Up on Love,” which sounds as if it have been recorded on a submarine. (Hell, it even has a line about “residing underwater.”) The observe is peculiar, modern and, effectively, all the adjectives, full with an oh-so memorable drop that solely Kygo might be behind. In spite of everything, he at all times delivers — even in probably the most unsure of occasions.
three stars (out of 4)