BY TARIQ ABDELLATIF
PHOTO COURTESY OF KEYS N KRATES
Keys N Krates will be stopping by Portland's Roseland Theater on their Cura Tour on March 2nd 2018. Doors open at 8pm and tickets for this event can be found here.
Since forming a decade ago in their native Toronto, Keys N Krates have carved their own path via a bass-centric, sample-driven sound which melds the realms of electronic, hip-hop and beyond. The group composed of drummer Adam Tune, keyboardist David Matisse and turntablist Jr. Flo has built a venerable reputation as one of the leading live electronic acts today on the strength of their onstage instrumentation and energetic sets. Keys N Krates now elevate their craft with Cura, their debut artist album.
Reflecting a sonic evolution many years in the making, Cura sees Keys N Krates evolving from revered instrumental beat-makers into musically sophisticated producers and songwriters. Cura embodies Keys N Krates’ matured style of now: soulful electronic music created with an organic touch, allowing for open experimentation and sonic curiosity. On “Music to My Ears,” dynamic strings and reverberant bass provide a joyous backbone to Grammy-nominated vocalist Tory Lanez’ uplifting hook. On “Glitter,” a slow-burning romp through disco-tinged future R&B, the group slathers the groove-laden cut with satiny synths and distorted strings alongside the vocals of rising sensation Ambré. “Do What U Do” revisits the sample based, boom-bap beats and harmonious vocal layers that have become a keystone of the Keys N Krates aesthetic. Elsewhere, the hard-hitting instrumental “Flute Loop,” featuring Ouici, is a frenetic bomb exploding with trap-leaning muscle, while “My Night” boasts hallucinogenic production accentuated by 070 Shake’s haunting sung / rap vocal.
Originally formed as a live hip-hop act in 2008, Keys N Krates have since logged countless hours on the road via a relentless tour schedule and have been recognized for advancing the live performance aspect within electronic music. They have headlined their own tours and performed high-profile sets at the top international music festivals including Coachella, Sónar, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Tomorrowland, EDC Las Vegas, Pukkelpop, Bestival and more. Keys N Krates will spend 2018 on an extensive world tour in support of Cura, performing headlining shows across the US, Canada, and Europe, with additional shows in Asia and Australia. In-between tour stops, they are set to grace festival stages at Sónar Hong Kong, Ultra Music Festival, and Electric Forest.
While Cura marks the crew’s debut full-length album, it, too, initiates a first step toward a new creative vision, a breakthrough in sound and a new beginning for Keys N Krates.
Listen to the entirety of Cura by visiting their Soundcloud here!