Returning with a swathe of rich, textured melodies, Kat Hunter’s experimental pop project Lack The Low reaches new heights on God-Carrier.
Returning with a swathe of rich, textured melodies, Kat Hunter’s experimental pop project Lack The Low reaches new heights on God-Carrier. Listeners have drawn comparisons between her and Anna Meredith, These New Puritans, Joanna Newsom, Son Lux and Olga Bell -and considering Hunter’s impressive vocal ability and her flourishing compositions, it’s easy to understand why. Every lyric simmers with feeling, every track heaves with urgency – it’s a record as commanding as a riptide, with enough strength to draw you under in each fleeting moment.
“There are a lot of fun and really challenging vocal parts in this record as well, but I think the biggest changes over the last few years have been in my approach to production.” says Hunter. “I took a lot of time developing my recording, producing and mixing skills for this record. It also uses a lot more synths and guitars and has a more refined feel overall I think.”
As the first single from God-Carrier, The Sharpest Knife is a striking, well-paced composition hooking warmly in the ear. Rising with a powerful crescendo, the track is characterised by shifts in tempo which keep the listener off-guard and curious. Fuzzed bass, catchy beats and vocal melodies flutter gracefully off a track that simmers with both warping and glowing textures – majestic and obscuring in its own intricacy.
“The Sharpest Knife sets up a conceptual theme which runs through the record,” says Hunter, “which is that of centring the importance of being receptive, being flexible, and finding a sense of equanimity and ease. It’s a concept that came up briefly in One Eye Closed but is much more fully developed in God-Carrier. Specifically, I’m exploring ideas around envy and the pressure we put on ourselves to achieve external goals. It was partly inspired by a quote from the Bhagavad Gita: ‘You have the right to work, but for the work’s sake only. You have no right to the fruits of work. Desire for the fruits of work must never be your motive in working’.”
Following the release of her debut One Eye Closed, Hunter has developed a reputation from critics for her stunning voice and an approach to song-writing that leaves listeners pondering the nature of form and existentialism – and which has secured her a slot at ArcTanGent 2022.
God-Carrier is a continuation of the depth that listeners have come to expect from her, something that surpasses standards of composition and in lyricism. The record truly pushes the envelope for Australian pop sensibilities, and is a must-hear for lovers of electronica and powerful vocals.
Lack The Low’s God-Carrier is out now on Art As Catharsis.
