Pulses - Karmin
Karmin rose to fame with the viral video of them performing Look At Me Now showcasing the impressive rapping skill of Amy Heidemann and the background (everything) by Nick Noonan. The couple is engaged but their wedding has been postponed several times due to their work with music, especially since their big break being signed by a major label - Epic Records. Their first single under Epic was Crash Your Party. Although didn't receive much commercial success, it was critically acclaimed and helped Karmin gain recognition beyond their YouTube subscribing fan base. They released an EP entitled "Hello" as a hello to their fans in 2012 featuring the breakthrough hit Brokenhearted, which landed at #16 on US Billboard Hot 100 and became my personal summer anthem that year.
They started recording their debut album "Pulses" the same year and actually went through tough time arguing with Epic to defend their musical choice and direction before finally being able to release it on March 25, 2014 - half a year later than the initial tentative release date.
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| The Karmin duo - the girl is Amy, the guy is Nick. Don't forget. |
The album begins with Geronimo Intro, an effort of them trying to make something different - also kind of the case behind the lead single Acapella.
Geronimo was an okay appetizer shedding a taste of their style and direction as an act and what the album represents, but it is a perfect lead in for the title track.
Pulses is 100% Karminized with signature production of rapping, background harmonized vocal, clapping track and a lot of drums. Nick's voice is what I love about this track. He is totally not the best vocalist in the world, but it suits the song and its flow nicely.
Pulses
Track number 3 is the album's lead single Acapella. As I mentioned, Karmin was trying to create something different with this song as they were inspired by The Cup Song from the movie Pitch Perfect. This song is really catchy and infectious in an in-your-face kind of way. Amy's falsetto part in the bridge might be a bit strange but when she "bring the beat back", everything goes.
Infectious can also be used to describe the second single I Want It All. It contains a slick disco tune though it might sound out of place for younger generation. Surprisingly, no rapping was included.
I Want It All
Night Like This, Hate To Love You and Try Me On are all upbeat, fun and super catchy songs. They might sound a little bit similar to each other but I guess it's good for them that they know what they can sell commercially and what they can showcase artistically with this album. Try Me On is my favorite among the trio.
The album slows down a bit at Neon Light and Tidal Wave. I always have a thing for ballads. Neon Love brings a bit of a blue as they reveals a bit of down moments in their relationship. It gets more powerful as the song progresses like a wave of emotions. I absolutely love it. Meanwhile, Tidal Wave is like this era's Coming Up Strong, the chorus slightly reminds me of Battle Scars by Lupe Fiasco and Guy Sebastian.
Then the last group of songs is Drifter, Gasoline, Puppet and What's In It For Me. Gasoline is refreshing like a little breeze with a little raggae vibe to it and to me it feels like Keri Hilson's Pretty Girl Rock meets Beyonce's Crazy In Love. Puppet's chorus is also a little similar to Channing All Over Your Tatum, the song, along with Drifter, is vibrant and bright, especially with that "oooh oooh", it is actually mood-levitating. While What's In It For Me sounds like a K-Pop smash hit with a little electronic and dance to it plus a repetitive chorus.
In conclusion, Karmin's Pulses won't disappoint any Karminites out there and it deserves a check out.
7.7/10
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