The Flaamingos / The KVB Split EP brings together Los Angeles based Flaamingos with the Berlin by way of London duo The KVB. The split EP came about as a way for the label and Flaamingos to collaborate with an aesthetically and musically like-minded act not part of the immediate felte family. Flaamingos and felte agreed on The KVB instantly. The idea behind the EP is simple – three songs on each side of all new material from both projects. Flaamingos, consisting of Jerry Narrows and Daniel Koontz, are known for a blend of pounding analog drum machines, jumbling basslines that are as moody as they are thoroughly danceable, atmospheric washes of echo-laden synth textures and jangling guitar sounds. While those elements still ring true, the band have branched out to an even more dynamic and bright sound. Their confidence, songwriting and production has blossomed since 2013’s self-titled album. “I’m Not Dead” and “Dancing Upstairs” show off their melodic flare with the warmest of gliding synths over Koontz’s most memorable jangly guitars while Narrow sings with a hopeful optimism that only the power of new love can reveal. “Naomi,” is a bass driven, minimalist post-punk song and their most straightforward song to date.Like a hazily remembered dream, U.K. duo the KVB blend reverb-soaked shoegaze with minimalist electronic production to create their delicate and ephemeral sound. Nicholas Wood and Kat Day have been prolific since forming in 2010, releasing material in every known format on a yearly basis. Of recent note is 2013’s Immaterial Visions album on Minimal Wave’s offshoot label Cititrax and 2014’s Out of Body EP, released on Anton Newcombe of Brian Jonestown Massacre fame’s own A Records. Over an almost 5 year existence, The KVB have consistently matured at an organic pace in a day and age that seems so rare these days. “Still Warm” melds krautrock drumming with Wood’s signature psychedelic guitar fuzz while Day adds a comforting synth line that you can’t shake hearing inside your head after it’s over. “I Call First” is a steady builder with bubbly synths, bursting into a feeling of cautious elation. Closer “Outlines” is a moody instrumental that wouldn’t be out of place on their soon to be released album Mirror Beings on Geoff Barrow’s Invada label. Slowly, but surely The KVB continue to grow in every aspect of their musical journey without feeling rushed into a wrong direction.
