Forming in 2008 and describing themselves as ‘ambient electro pop’, Leicestershire, UK outfit Kyte have already worked through a number of incarnations, previously recording under the names Surprise Symphony and Magic Island, as well as undergoing various lineup changes. Understandably then, the band – who are currently a trio – have developed and altered their sound significantly over the past five years, and have gained themselves a healthy following in Japan along the way.
Album opener ‘Breaking Bones’ is a highlight, with its lilting harmony bringing to mind Cocteau Twins and The Cure circa Disintegration. It’s a fairly slow number on an album largely consisting of uptempo pop songs; perhaps its relatively somber nature is what makes it stand out. The majority of Love To Be Lost is much more upbeat, and the band certainly know how to craft a tune. The likes of ‘You & I’ and ‘Aerials’ are fine examples, with the kind of hooks designed to firmly lodge themselves in the conscience for extended periods of time.
Vocalist Nick Moon‘s distinctive accent and breathy, falsetto-tinged delivery could be considered an acquired taste and, for better or worse, a lack of vocal compression adds to the effect, lending a further sense of an ‘airy’ high end sound to the music. Having said that, the arrangements are generally well-balanced, with layers and textures of keyboard parts tastefully working in tandem with the guitars.
In contrast to their previous, more shoegaze-inspired work, Kyte now seem to strive for a very polished kind of atmospheric pop; unfortunately the formula isn’t always successful. It’s clear what the band is aiming for, and the melodies are there, but the production lacks the sheen and the full-bodied sound required to really lift this record to the heights it wants to reach. This is no great surprise, considering that Kyte supposedly record all their work in a small bedroom. One can’t help the feeling that, given the superstar producer treatment, this could easily be a huge guitar-based pop album
6/10
Matt Ford