Navigating pivotal moments in her life from changing her path as a visual artist and having to re-learn how to sing after a major bike accident, Bel Kil’s debut EP ‘My Year’ is an expansive look into the world of Melbourne based Annabel Kilpatrick.
Multi-instrumentalist, producer and engineer, Bel Kil creates summer-drenched tunes wrapped up in nostalgia, evoking a timeless land of sand dunes and golden light that is reminiscent of front runners Milky Chance, Julia Stone and Lana Del Rey.
Her debut EP ‘My Year’ is a multifaceted and soaring undertaking blending electronic production with indie, rock, hip hop and a hint of funk. Her laid-back vocals and sweeping, anthemic choruses are fused with catchy hooks and witty, reflective lyrics. Her songs are incisive perceptions of life, love and dreams, laid bare on a backdrop of rousing, spirited beats.
She explained, “It's raw, honest, contemplative, reflective, uplifting and anthemic. Each song started without an intention, but rather an experimentation of sound and words that resonated with me and that developed into an idea I was eager to pursue.”
The first song on the EP ‘Escaping’ glides in like sunrise. Reminiscent of Milky Chance’s breakout debut album Sadnecessary, a playful song made for a sun drenched trip to the coast. Following this is feature single ‘My Year’ which sees Bel explore the hypnotic soaring tones of her vocals underpinned by a funk laden groove and powerful drums. As the feature single from the album, it is accompanied by a music video that perfectly encapsulates Bel’s dreamy tones and sun-kissed sound.
Bel Kil continued, “The visuals accompanying the single capture the freedom and nostalgia that Bel explores in her music. Bel stumbled across a stash of sun-bleached family photos of her mum growing up in Portland in the 70s, as well as images from her own childhood of kids in oversized costumes, playing with yabbies, and climbing over rock pools. Photographer Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore helped her recreate this nostalgic summer feel with a photoshoot at Half Moon Bay. Claudia also captured video footage on Super 8 film to intertwine with family videos, dating all the way back to the 30s.”
The next single ‘Cards’ sees Bel more experimental, weaving a warping soundscape reminiscent of rummaging through old photographs, where time becomes relative and the past is viscerally re-experienced in the present. Closing out the EP sees a more laidback Bel in ‘Backup Plan’ who lays her hypnotic vocals in between a psychedelic inspired warped instrumentation. Her soaring vocals dance over the strumming beat.
Connect with Bel Kil,
