Album Review Around the World & Back To You by Alice Kat (2024) (Subjangle)
Alice Kat is the performing moniker of Boston-based Alice Katugampola, who has lately received widespread critical acclaim as one half of Fine, a jangly indie-pop duo (along with Liam Marsh) whose harmonies are steeped in the most precious of crushed melancholy.
However, her solo work characterized by the superb eponymous debut (2016), Telephone Conversations (2020), and now this wonderful Around the World & Back to You third album has always been used as a vehicle to get her more ‘noise’ edged musical sensibilities out into the world.
Not that this album is devoid of the ‘undiluted pretty’ that her made-for indie-pop vocals are so comfortable within, as lead singles Get High Feel Alive, Could You Promise, and Fear all augment what are the album’s most genuine jangly tracks with her burnished vocal beauty, which is allowed to resonate when not surrounded by the extra dynamism.
However, it is exactly this ‘extra dynamism’ that Alice Kat’s solo back catalogue will one day ultimately be remembered for. As such, the juxtaposition of 90s alt. rock girl group ‘pithy’ and glorious melodic fuzz-encrusted pop typifies Pretty Blue 108, Sun Goes Down, Doesn’t Have To Hurt, and Fade Away, whereas the muted, subdued jangle-gaze inflections of Waves and Rush could sit at the same table with the best of the Spirit Goth roster.
A truly special talent in all her forms, the music of Alice Kat deserves to be in as many ears as possible.
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