Album Review: Communication EP by NEKOKAT

Written by Emily Racanelli

Ready, Set, Go For Originality!

What happens when you put together a vocalist, guitarist, and a drummer? Well obviously, you get some pretty awesome music! But what happens when you merge a vocalist (and sole member) of a successful electro-pop band with his touring guitarist and a drummer who has spent the last 8+ years adding some unique flares to a lovecore act? The end result is not just music that will resonate with you for years to come, but a supergroup ready to combine their strengths and fill a gap in the alternative scene.

Earlier this past year, Jordan Witzigreuter (more commonly known as The Ready Set) entered the studio with a couple of friends to work on a side project. What they came up with not only created a wave of new fans, but also some diversity to a music scene heavily centered on head-banging and aggressive vocals. Named NEKOKAT, the group consists of Jordan on vocals with his occasional touring guitarist Cameron Walker. Rounding out the trio is drummer Jess Bowen. Sound familiar? Odds are you know her from the Arizona quintet The Summer Set, popular for hits such as “Boomerang” and “Chelsea.” Not only is she a rarity, being one of few female drummers ever to grace the stage, but one who is used to adding more than a backbeat to electronically-influenced songs.

Now that you’re aware of how this powerhouse came to be, it’s time to focus on the music! On June 23, the group dropped their debut EP, Communication. While all members are still a part of their respective acts, it is obvious that NEKOKAT is bound to become more than a side project. With layered vocals, captivating drum fills and lyrics true to the pop punk essence, it’s safe to say there is a full-fledged career for NEKOKAT going forward.

One example of this is with title track “Communication,” the only song that will have you swaying instead of dancing. (And I mean that in a positive way). It balances out the short debut, opening with the subtle crackling of fireworks and crescedo-ing to heavy tom drum hits and fretboard slides. The softness of the music allows for the lyrics to shine through. In particular, “Is it funny?/Is It cruel?/To feel okay without you?” Witzigreuter’s voice drops as he says the last line and fills in a dramatic lull midway through the song. This showcases that you don’t always need laptop-induced rhythms to get people’s attention. Sometimes the words are enough.

However, that doesn’t mean they should completely stray away from upbeat dance anthems, because those are the true essence of NEKOKAT. My personal favorite on the record is “The Reckless.” From the first listen, I could picture myself at a live show jumping up and down screaming the catchy chorus. It so eloquently rhymes, “Cast ourselves away with the reckless/Native tongues, we speak so regretless/When you’re all burned out on teenage aggression/Take me as an antidepressant.” While I may have outgrown the stage of teenage aggression, this anthem could still act as the antidepressant I need to get away from the cruel reality of adult life for a few seconds. Now I’m eagerly awaiting some kind of tour announcement because albeit fun to shatter my eardrums alone in my room with this one, it’d be ten times better on a Friday night in Webster Hall with a bunch of rowdy fans.

Upbeat electronic pop anthems are sure to win over the crowds, but with a drummer as talented as Jess Bowen, it’s important to let the non-instrument components take a back seat. Drums are the highlight of “Don’t Be Loud,” a (unfortunately) relatable song about sneaking around behind your significant other. There’s something enticing about doing the wrong thing, and that message might be enough to captivate most people, saying “Oh, and what her boyfriend don’t see/Are her hands in the backseat with me now/Do what you want, just don’t be loud.” Yes, I’m sure we all can picture ourselves in a similar situation during our high school days. The real standout though is the drumbeat that hides behind the image-provoking words. Honestly, simple computer-generated drums could be tossed in and nobody would mention a thing. But leave it up to Bowen to liven the song up with off-count tom hits and open high hats. I’d love to see a video of her playing along to this one! (Partly because I can’t seem to figure out the timing by ear to be able to play it myself!) And that is the characteristic of a truly gifted drummer: being able to make something so intricate that listeners don’t even pay attention to any other part of the song.

           

Each of the aforementioned tracks offers it’s own unique element, whether it be lyrics that hit you right in the chest, music that makes you stop and dance wherever you are, or mesmerizing drums. To take the EP to an entirely different dimension, NEKOKAT combines all three in their debut single “Gimme A Break.” It starts with some bass kicks and a high pitched “Yeah” being repeated. (I’ve had that intro stuck in my head since the song came out, but there’s no complaining here!) The first verse comes in with the lyrical skills, going “How can you know, what you know, when you don’t know yourself?/You locked your younger years, in your room trying to be, someone else/The madness that you talk about is all yours, but you blame it on your mother.” These words perfectly encapsulating teenage angst are usually found in a voice a lot rougher and angrier that the soft crooning of Witzigreuter, recorded over power chords and fast riffs. NEKOKAT sets themselves apart from the rest of the music scene by changing it up a bit and still getting listeners to think “Oh sh•t! That’s exactly the way I was as a misunderstood 15-year-old!” Jump forward to the chorus and you’ll find that killer snare-high hat drum beat (finished off with a marching band-esque drum roll) and xylophone-infused electronic sound. (I’m pretty sure it’s a xylophone, but don’t quote me on it!)

           

It’s little subtleties like a xylophone playing over drums and lyrics about depression and teenage angst that make NEKOKAT such a novelty. For now, I’m thoroughly blown away and can’t wait to see what’s next! My only request is that Bowen provides some vocals; given with her lengthy career she is always behind the kit. Witzigreuter stated that Bowen does have a voice in an upcoming acoustic project the trio is working on. With that being said, my excitement level is off the charts. Here’s to hoping there’s a NEKOKAT tour (that hits the East Coast) sometime in the near future! I really need them to “Gimme A Break” from reality!