I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting music, so I was very pleased to discover Kingbird and their debut EP, Executioner. Kingbird is a new project created as a one woman band fronted by Ezgim Özgül, blending electronic, experimental, and folk elements together in a fantastic way. Thematically, the record delves into the theme of destruction within creation, creating something very unique in the process.
By Jane Howkins
Executioner kicks off with first track In the beginning, suitably titled based on the song’s position on the EP and the overarching theme of the record. It serves as a nice introduction to Executioner, as a number of gorgeous piano melodies play over each other, leading nicely into In a dark time. This piece opens up slowly, with some minimalist piano chords and some subtle synth effects – the piano chords also curate a nice rhythm, changing quickly as the piece progresses. The vocals are almost half-whispered, only adding to the atmosphere of this pretty piece of music. It’s actually an adaptation of a Theodore Roethke poem, and it’s done very well indeed!
Monsterwaltz is another aptly titled tune – the rhythm certainly has an old school waltz style to it, but it’s also rather eerie sounding at times. It’s almost hypnotic, seeing Ezgim use a simplistic yet haunting motif that runs throughout most of the tune, followed by her strong vocal lines. As the piece continues, more and more elements are added, including what sounds like a theremin at one point!
Safe Step sees Kingbird going in a slightly different direction. However, the opening melody still has an intriguing and mysterious vibe, repeating a couple of notes over and over again in fast rotation. There’s a real feeling of suspense here, leading into the vocals perfectly, allowing them to drift across the music in a dreamy way. Ezgim’s vocals are used astoundingly well here, acting as another palpable instrument in the mix
Up next is final track Under the sun, a slightly more optimistic and peaceful sounding tune, despite the dark lyrical themes. The piano melody plays along quietly underneath Kingbird’s vocals, creating a sense of serenity that makes this piece perfect for relaxing to at the end of the day. The track slowly fades out with the sound of screams and gunshots, making for a surprising yet remarkable ending to this intriguing record.
Kingbird’s music won’t be for everyone, but those into their more experimental styles may get a kick out of Executioner – if that’s you, why not give it a whirl below?