Kitka - K

I believe it should be well documented by now that I have a huge love for everything related to the Swedish project Red Mecca. The darkwave group has put out quality material album after album – with one of them even earning a rare and legendary score of 10 out of 10. It is understandable then that when vocalist Frida Madeleine announced that she would be splitting from the group to start anew I was a bit devastated but optimistic nonetheless. On one hand, I was wondering how Red Mecca would continue and whether Frida would find a project and outlet just as good as her previous. On the other, I was very much looking forward to what the unique vocalist would come up with next. 

My worries were slowly hushed as Frida announced her new project Kitka alongside veteran synth maestro Fredrik. These two were able to take their varied but similar electronic background and provide us with their first single titled ‘Him’ just a few months back. I was absolutely stunned by the playful synthpop elements provided in the single. Frida’s undoubtedly unique and melodic vocals were a mainstay, of course, but the technicality of the rhythm and analog mastery was, and still is, phenomenal. 

This was soon followed by their second single ‘Shadows’, which released as a single on YouTube which was quickly followed by a music video from their Japan tour in 2018. Though just two members on stage, the energy they brought and emanated through the crowd was on display. Not only that but homing in on their lighter electropop elements brought the song to life. 

However, not all is synth or electropop when it comes to Kitka, as was displayed in the emotional song ‘A Thousand Drums’. Their third single for their album, ‘A Thousand Drums’ took backing influence from the darkwave genre and blended it with their extraordinary talent. This song really kicked during the chorus where Frida’s voice is bolstered with echo effects and more electronic work is added in for a slight wall of noise sound. 

The final single from the album released just back in December of 2018 titled ‘School’. More rapid than the previous songs in delivery, the lyrics are simple yet pungent offering a dissection of romance and affairs. With four singles out and a seven-track album available, I was finally able to listen to the full package. With such high praises already stacked upon these four singles, you will not be surprised to find me allocating even more recommendations unto Kitka’s debut. 

‘Came To Me’ easily has in mind light techno elements from its main beat but finds retro-futuristic aspirations throughout its beat. This one will most likely be a club favorite – or at least a dancefloor favorite – when Kitka hits the road again. ‘Attention’ is an interesting song that starts off with a standard array of dancey electropop rhythms but slowly builds itself up throughout the song. Layers of electronica are added until the very end where a full-on dance beat is explored in all its glory. The final song on the album, ‘IQ’ is a glorious ender for the album. The project’s final foray into electropop territory also finds them adding in elements of trance. The elements never overpower the song but serve as another tool to build on both Frida’s vocal talent and Fredrik’s analog skills.

I find myself in a position where I hate to say this, but I am glad Frida left Red Mecca to find her own calling. The debut of Kitka is nothing short of powerful. These are seven songs primarily consisting of electropop, synthpop, and darkwave elements whilst ticking a few other genres across the grand scheme all in the favor of creating impressive musical work.