Album Review: Love Heart Cheat Code by Hiatus Kaiyote
This refined and alluring fourth album of Hiatus Kaiyote seamlessly balances numerous dynamic elements while maintaining an elegant and uncluttered feel.
Formed in Melbourne in 2011, Hiatus Kaiyote is an Australian band that blends R&B, jazz, and hip-hop with a unique and progressive style. Their eclectic mix is further distinguished by the distinctive, raspy yet elegant voice of Nai Palm, a lyricist inspired by animated fantasy films and nature, who skillfully expresses a wide range of emotions through creative metaphors. Love Heart Cheat Code captures the essence of four musicians joyfully performing on the brink, featuring 11 tracks bursting with energy and playfulness. Contrary to their reputation for intricate compositions and numerous Grammy nods for their penchant for maximalism, the album’s simplicity stands out.
The creation of this album was less about following a strict plan and more about organic discovery through late-night jam sessions, shared meals, and experimenting with equipment and each other. The album features Melbourne-based artists like Taylor “Chip” Crawford, who introduced his self-invented instrument, the frello; guitarist Tom Martin; and flautist Nikodimos. Additionally, the album marks the influential collaboration with Mario Caldato, renowned for his work with the Beastie Boys and Seu Jorge.
Hiatus Kaiyote has always viewed their albums as holistic ecosystems. With Love Heart Cheat Code, they envisaged a vivid visual universe to accompany their music, collaborating with Toronto-based, Sri Lankan-born multimedia artist Rajni Perera for the album art. Illustrator Chloe Biocca and Grey Ghost worked with the band to create visual symbols and artifacts for each track in harmony with Rajni’s artwork. These artifacts evolved into tangible items like custom jewelry and edible treats, leading to the whimsical concept of a Love Heart Cheat Code supermarket. Here, the band members imagined themselves as store employees, merging art creation with product marketing and daily chores.
Throughout the album, Hiatus Kaiyote emphasizes an intuitive approach over intellectual understanding and trust cultivated through creative energy and countless hours in the studio. The result is a cohesively relaxed, wide-eyed collection of music that demonstrates a deeper self-awareness and conveys their artistic vision to the world. They find comfort in each song and product, infusing them with magical musical brilliance. The album opens with “Dreamboat,” a sweeping overture that intertwines harp, piano, and vocal harmonies, potentially echoing “Lovely Sky Boat.” Here, the ‘dreamboat’ may not be a romantic figure but a vessel that carries the ever-vibrant Nai Palm, along with the otherworldly rhythm section of Perrin Moss, Paul Bender, and Simon Mavin, on a sonic expedition.
This introductory track sets the stage for “Telescope,” a shimmering melody that resonates with the marvels of the universe, where only a snippet from the Temptations’ “My Girl” seems to ground the listener to Earth. The subsequent “Make Friends” shifts gears, moving away from any detectable science fiction themes, with Palm celebrating the down-to-earth qualities of a male, female, and non-binary friend. The subsequent “Make Friends” shifts gears, moving away from any detectable science fiction themes, with Palm celebrating the down-to-earth qualities of a male, female, and non-binary friend. Elsewhere, the album exudes terrestrial bliss in the radiant and uplifting title track, “Everything’s Beautiful,” which, like several other tunes, nods to the sun while masterfully weaving in flute and harp. The lysergic, Dilla-inspired grooves of “Dimitri” transport listeners to a domain plucked from the pages of Oz, further showcasing the band’s diverse musical palette.
Love Heart Cheat Code epitomizes an exquisite sonic universe, ideal for summer’s languid days and nights. After nearly ten years of being performed live, “Cinnamon Temple” undergoes a spasmodic transformation into a recorded Technical Life Metal anthem. “Longcat” is a swirling homage to the famous Japanese cat that achieved Internet meme status. The beloved robot BMO from “Adventure Time” lends its voice to introduce “Everything’s Beautiful” with its catchy hook. The album concludes with a rowdy reimagining of Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit” as Hiatus Kaiyote thrusts the psychedelic rock staple into a fun house mirror, amplifying the chaos and playfulness. This band’s capacity to captivate and thrill is only magnified by their embrace of the absurd and the unusual.
Standout (★★★★½)
Favorite Track(s): “Telescope,” “Make Friends,” “Everything's Beautiful,” “Cinnamon Temple”