The press release for the upcoming debut full-length from Kit Orion (AKA Cambridge singer/songwriter/DJ/producer Caitlyn O’Brien) describes Bottle Grin as “Electronic-Pop Euphoria” and upon listening through the 13-track magnum opus we’d be inclined to agree.
From the otherworldly “Introduction (Heart is a Prism)” which begins this grand sonic journey into “Flicker” which is practically in a whole ‘nother galaxy with an Electro Rawk base and onto “Upswing” that ventures into Jazz territory (With Chris Barrett’s trumpets making their way into the mix), there’s a constant state of aural euphoria amidst a diverse yet dense variety of songs. And that’s just the first three tracks here.
“Like Honey” gets back to the weird and reminds us immediately of Tom Vek with the programming O’Brien lays out while “Mount Auburn Cemetery” is a somber, orchestral affair filled with O’Brien’s lush atmospheric delivery against a backdrop of programmed beats, synths, strings, and tenderly tapped piano keys courtesy of Samuel Taber. “Deep Blue” stays on that path a little longer, spiraling out of “Mount Auburn…” with a hopeful counterpoint as the pace picks up for a fanciful finale filled with heavenly layered vox.
“Get Grounded” climbs out of the remnants of the touching “Interlude (Indigo Baby)” with a hopeful, introspective rallying song and “Candlewood” is peak ’90’s-inspired Trip-Hop in the vein of Portishead, Sneaker Pimps, or Tricky with a lush synthetic world created. “We All Clap Our Hands” is a mesmerizing masterclass in soundscape weaving with Jessica Kion’s bass and Ben Levin’s guitar playing off each other all moody like in a way that brings to mind early UNKLE recordings as “Interlude (Light Keeper)” manages to bring another ray of sunshine into the heavy atmosphere.
Before the climax, “This” offers a poignant programmed mantra that’s more friendly reminder than warning (“This isn’t the way it was meant to be”) until that shimmering hymnal of a title track glows and glistens in a playful, whimsical nature reminiscent of early Lily Allen but also the ethereal air of Everything But The Girl and Tracy Thorne’s works.
Bottle Grin releases on October 24th and you can get your pre-save and pre-order on now by heading here. If you’re inclined to hear it with an audience and experience the premiere of the Jessica Kion-directed video for “Like Honey” first then make a date on release night (Again, 10/24) at the Capitol Theatre in Arlington for all that and more with pre-sale tickets available now by heading here. For more from Kit Orion, follow the socials across the interwebs when you click here or here.