Kinsley – Humans EP

It has been a long time since we had some heavy music on our pages that doesn’t sound like something we’ve heard countless times before, but thankfully, bands and music projects delivering fresh and unique music still exist. Kinsley is certainly one of those music duos that stand out from anything you could possibly hear on streaming platforms nowadays, due to their limitless creativity, outstanding musicianship, and willingness to take a step further, experiment, or blend in several different or complementary music genres. You’ll have to agree that doing something like that in times when bands are directly exposed to harsh criticism on social media takes a bit of courage, but Kinsley does not need to worry about it, because their latest material checks all the necessary boxes. With “Humans,” their latest extended play released today across all streaming platforms, they definitely create a space where even the pickiest listeners will feel comfortable and satisfied. Christopher Jones and Adam Staley, lifelong friends who have been into crafting music for years, know how to assemble those perfect songs where every vocal, sonic, and rhyhtmic maneuver feels larger than life. It has to do with how they combine various techniques, approaches, and styles in order to create a captivating atmosphere that immediately wraps around the listening apparatus and refuses to let go long after these songs fade away. By taking post-hardcore as a starting point, and then gradually and tastefully adding progressive rock, post-metal, grunge, and modern alternative, they build a universe of their own where every repeated voyage rewards repeated listens. Not only that, but Kinsley also thought about even those tiny details, elements, layers, and decorations, ensuring that everything fits perfectly into this sonic equation and resonates with tremendous power. And while their music definitely leans much more into modern music waters, because they’ve incorporated qualities that meet all the trends of contemporary production, do not be surprised if you stumble upon some retro nostalgia here and there, added to elevate or spice things up a little bit.

This epic sonic journey commences with “Memories,” such a marvelous introductory piece that showcases Kinsley’s abilities. At first, you’ll notice how much time and effort they poured into creating such a colossal wall of harmonious sound, built upon downtuned, heavily distorted guitar riffs, perfectly paired with catchy, memorable, captivating themes, melodies, and harmonies. Each segment carries so many beauitful moments, and the segment where acoustic and electric guitars collide is such a nice touch that definitely uplifts this composition to an entirely new level. In the meantime, the rhythm section is solely responsible for all the heaviness, power, and aggression this song emits. You’ll hear all those warm, intricate basslines rumbling beneath the guitars and contributing heaviness, clarity, and depth, while the exceptional drumming performance, based upon expertly performed beats, breaks, fills, and other percussive acrobatics, keeps everything in line. Of course, the lead vocals act as a centerpiece, contributing more than necessary emotional depth, complexity, and more detail through soulful, passionate, honest, and powerful performance. You’ll hear how every vocal line commands attention and guides your ears through every segment of the song so smoothly. And the impressive vocal range is definitely notable on “Dreams,” where you’ll notice how the vocalist beautifully balances low, mid, and high notes with such precision and finesse. In this particular song, the vocals simply meld into all those leads, themes, melodies, harmonies, and other sonic maneuvers delivered by the guitars. Speaking about the guitars, this particular composition will be such a treat to those progressive rock fans. You’ll stumble upon technically demanding guitar acrobatics, challenging your ears with every strum over the strings. Besides the lead guitar, it’s also good to mention how rhythm and bass guitars articulate with all those heavy notes throughout the entire composition. While the rhythm guitar brings all those powerful, downtuned, distorted riffs that certainly contribute rawness and aggression to this song, the bass immensely supports both guitars, but also delivers more clarity, depth, groove, and detail. The remainder of the rhythm section is equally impressive, with all those patterns, accentuations, fills, and other maneuvers that make this song so dynamic, groovy, and complex. And “Reflection” further cements their tremendous creativity, talent, skills, and musicianship. It’s not only a song that closes this fascinating extended play release, but a rock-solid proof that post hardcore, alternative, grunge, and modern rock in general still has so much to offer. And also, through their brilliant ideas and exceptional musicianship, they deliver another composition where vocals bring melody, harmony, power, and aggression, guitar riffs and themes shape a perfect backdrop that grabs you by the collar and refuses to let go, and intricate basslines and perfect drumming provide more than enough heaviness, dynamics, and complexity. It’s a perfect closure that will immediately convince you to spin these songs all over again.

If you love post-hardcore, progressive rock, post-metal, grunge, and alternative from the bottom of your heart, then Kinsley’s “Humans” will easily and instantly become a staple on your playlist. Not only that, but it will also become your top contender for a record of the year. The way Christopher Jones and Adam Staley write, compose, arrange, and emit their songs goes beyond comprehension, and you should immediately place “Humans” on your music radar.