Entry 455 - Kota - Next Time, Friend

 

This was the first record I ever backed on Qrates. It was a bit of a perfect storm for me. I was just getting into lofi hip hop and had started collecting records again in ernest... the record was the right price at the right time.

I know nothing of Kota outside of this release, my only experience with the artist are these 30 minutes. I really have no desire to seek out more either, I am exceptionally content with the amount of lofi in my collection at this point. That said, I am also very pleased with how this record came out.

Next Time, Friend is a low key mixture of hip hop, nature sounds, jazz, and lounge. My favorite parts of the release are the jazz parts. These come through like a smokey diner on a cold rainy night. The piano and drums usually take lead, however there is often a trumpet or sax mixed in with the other instruments... sometimes even an upright bass. It's chill as all get out and it's the prefect thing to wake up to in the morning with.

Outside of the jazz, Kota explores some field recording material of what sounds like a beautiful spring morning. Birds and other nature sounds accompany the beats and again make for an excellent way to start the day. There are also a few one off tracks: one channels far eastern instrumentation and has a bit of funk to it. Yet others will have a lounge feel to it, with the main instrument being a lounge piano. It's still laid back but not as much as some of the other tracks on here.

Kota has a nice little collection of songs going on with Next Time, Friend. There isn't really an over arching theme to them, nor do they run together in any meaningful manner. It's just a collection of songs, a mix tape put to vinyl if you will. That said, all the songs do what they set out to do: offer a great way to start your day with some chill ass beats.