Seductively pairing live bass and retro programmed rhythms for a quickly ambient and engaging groove, Theolonius Kelly leads with mood and momentum, for How Do You Do It Without Making It Nauseatingly Extravagant.
Building from these quickly identifiable traits towards the additional riffs and atmospheric intricacies of later, the new release employs a distant vocal to further its conceptual intrigue, and ultimately wraps these simple yet satisfying arms around the listener for the extent of a brief but striking two minutes and seventeen seconds.
Effectively bridging the gap between unplugged trip hop, live rock and the likes of the xx, How Do You Do It Without Making It Nauseatingly Extravagant quietly speaks out on the implications of its title. The simplicity of the track is anything but extravagant, and yet these mysterious, almost undetectable vocal threads, and indeed the artwork, injects a level of complexity and intrigue to counter any easy warmth.
It will be interesting to hear where else the music takes Theolonius Kelly in the coming months. This track is impressively likable, drawing upon only the essential layers and details required for an impactful and enchanting listen. Humility and intention work perfectly well together.
