My Bae Monday: Bubba - Kaytranada
The tweet says it all, right? The masses had 5 months to sit with this album and what a wonderful time it’s been. If you’re like me you’ve played the entire album nonstop hundreds of times already. But…what if you’re NOT like me and you haven’t heard it yet? Forgot Kaytranada dropped a project? DON’T EVEN KNOW WHO KAYTRANADA IS?! Don’t fret. I’ve calmed down and I’m ready to talk and give you some insight.
Kaytranada is a Canadian producer that starting making noise back in the early 2010s. I remember listening to him around 2013/2014 when he made different Hip-Hop and R&B remixes that gained popularity on Soundcloud. For those of you that are uninitiated, now you have some background. Next step, listen to the album. Please don’t make me twist your arm. Do it.
Are you back? Alright let’s go.
Kaytranada songs are unforgettable because he intentionally crafts them that way. Bubba, his second full-length album, showcases his versatility and a signature sound. He blends sounds and vocals from Hip-Hop, R&B, Soul, and Electronic genres to create larger than life tracks. His production choices are hard to ignore and easy to enjoy. Kaytranada’s music doesn’t need an essay with a ton of background history because the music is super accessible. There are recognizable aspects of multiple genres that bring you closer to his style of production. It helps that he has recognizable names to accompany the familiar sounds. Pharrell, Estelle, Tinashe, SiR, and Kali Uchis are a handful of secured features. And don’t let the big names fool you. They only add to the greatness of the album.
Bubba is an album that should be enjoyed in its entirety. Of course there are multiple, if not all, tracks that make great playlist boosters but Bubba is best experienced as a full album. Seriously. These days many of us take the art of arranging an album for granted but Kaytranada and his team did an excellent job on Bubba. The album has syrupy sweet spots and soaring highs. All of which you are subject to miss if you just choose the top streamed track from *insert streaming service here*. The transitions are effortless. No matter how many times I’ve listened to the album, moving to the next song still catches me off guard. Listening to the album is close to experiencing a live DJ set.
Here are my favorites. I enjoy the full album but these are my stuck places: Go DJ, Need It, Freefall
I hope I convinced you to check out the album or give it another spin if you haven’t heard it in a while. Hit me up in the comments or on social media to tell me how the album made you feel!
