Live Review: PREMIERE: KAIAR shows there's beauty behind the pain in 'Human'

16 May 2018 | 9:01 am | Emma Jones

Sometimes, when we put ourselves in situations in which we need to protect ourselves emotionally, we build walls around ourselves. Sometimes the walls are so strong that we forget completely what we inherently are - humans. It takes breaking down this exoskeleton completely to be able to feel human again, and that's exactly what Melbourne artist KAIAR is battling with in her new single and video, 'Human'.

Exploring "the pressure between tension and breaking point and whether it’s possible to find beauty in the pain,KAIAR (formerly known as KAIA) has created an absolutely beautiful song to accompany her emotional turmoil, complete with intricate production, glitchy samples and a blooming bed of synths that lay down the perfect foundation for her stunning voice to soar over. Dynamic in its range and still maintaining the heartfelt emotion behind her lyrics, KAIAR's skills are on full display here and it is glorious as she guides you along, pulling you in and spilling out her world.

Doubling down on conveying this intensity, she's teamed up with ROB LA TERRA for the video (who's resume boasts videos for ROYKSOPP and LA MER), the pair's aim for this clip was to "really communicate the weight of tension before breaking point." With clever visual effects and dramatic scenes, their idea has well and truly come to life, coupling this with harsh and desolate landscapes as well as design work by EWOL with her designs featuring "intricate fabric patterns made from microscopic images of human muscle and flesh," according to KAIAR.

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'Human' is the first release from KAIAR in 2018, following on from her 2017 self-titled EP. With a slew of critical nods last year from tastemaker radio programs as well as supporting the likes of Braille Face, Aphir, Estére and more, we're hoping there is a lot more where this came from.

Image by Isabella Connelley

Words by Emma Jones

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