TWO years after walking away from the songwriting-scene, KT Tunstall’s sixth studio album, KIN, was released today. Student World Online editor Francesca Turauskis attended the pre-launch gig at All Saints Church in Kingston-upon-Thames.
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KT Tunstall’s music certainly has the ability to reach across age categories – the audience at the pre-launch gig for KIN encompassed the whole family including students, ex-students like myself who have grown with her since the first album, and the older generation such as my dad, (who was my plus one for the evening). Perhaps it was this mix that caused KT to call us ‘the politest audience’ she could imagine.
Originally from Scotland and now living in Venice Beach, California, it may seem strange that KT chose an old church on the outskirts of London for this gig. Such a hallowed venue, however, allowed both audience and artist to ease themselves into the new material. We were welcomed with the album’s singles, “Maybe It’s A Good Thing” and “Hard Girls,” guitar-pop songs that feel like a response to the Justin Beibers and Miley Cyruses of the pop world. The album’s title track has a more rolling rhythm that reminds me of a film score (understandable, as KT has been writing scores for the past two years).
The postman brought the full album to me this morning, with a fun confusion of geometry and drawings on the cover, a vast contrast to the stark realism of the previous album cover. (I’m not sure about the cartoons on the photography though, they do remind me of a car advert!) LP owners receive a full lollipop of colour with a florescent vinyl. Further songs on the album include the lullaby-like “On My Star” and a “Two Way” collaboration with James Bay (which, considering it is KT’s first collaboration on an album, was lagging and lacking for me).
KIN doesn’t seem to have quite the same passion as 2010’s Tiger Suit or the pensiveness of 2013’s Crescent Moon // Invisible Empire, but it has perhaps settled into a more comfortable sentimentality, that still shows a playful attitude. Great for a road trip in the holidays!
KIN by KT Tunstall is out now on download, vinyl and CD.
Art Credits: Art Direction/Graphic Design by KT Tunstall and Lawrence Azerrad, featuring artwork by Gosha Levochkin and Photography by Pamela Littky. Geometric background by Evelyn Leigh/The Painted Line.
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