KIOSK - 'Heaven Sent'/'Sure Shot'
Kiosk are a Leeds based electro-pop duo that rival the beats of Spanish outfit Dame Area; dropping a ltd 12” vinyl with physical exclusive remixes from Turnspit, Bug Teeth and DJ Suburu in a unique way to debut a stellar double single that’s worthy of celebration.
Featuring a debut London headline at the Windmill this month, Kiosk are an electronic act on the rise. Their double header of Heaven Sent and Sure Shot rival the likes of SILVERWINGKILLER in instant explosion that has seemingly sent a shot in the arm to the electronic scene of London’s underground, Isabella Alcock and Rory ‘Maz’ Malsen uniting on vocals, synth and bass and synth respectively for a record that feels full of electro noise. It goes down a storm – instantly compelling and loud, in the best possible way.
Heaven Sent is the big hitter, talking about “heaven sent/I knew you were” and the idolisation that comes with it. It is short, sharp and punchy. They utilise analogue sounds to create an instant appeal, the music glittering your way through a club space mixed with neon vibes. The programmed beats are uplifting and soaring – promising a wave of alternative sound to overthrow you instantly as it just builds and builds – infectious with its club-ready atmosphere. DJ Subaru serves as an exec producer, and you can see the influence building and building.
I love the commitment Kiosk have to a physical vinyl release and it is easy to see why it’s worth investing in given the analogue feel that predominantly dominates both tracks. Their combination with Sure Shot is an instant fusion of talent and high adrenaline techno, “as we were coming down the side of this mountain we were in this red car and it was a convertible but not the flashy kind” creates a story that pulls you into the flowing beats of the techno-sphere for the second half of the double single; which switches gears from more traditional house to an overbearing onslaught that feels instantly abrasive yet appropriately magnetic. It’s a bombastic ballad made for 3am in the late nights at the Windmill on the weekend, and their much anticipated first Brixton Windmill tour is sure to go down a treat.
The band really make the tracks a pairing in their own right: “Heaven Sent,” they say, is a heavy dance beat contrasts with the lyrics about loss and the search for meaning in a material world. ‘Sure Shot’ was born out of a studio jam. The improvised monologue describes the realisation that you are one tiny part of something intangible, much greater than your physical body.”
You like techno get yourself down to see Kiosk live. They are a real treat of an up-and-coming band who are going on to do great things.
Words by Dave Beech
