Bacchanalia Magazine

by Ceirios Bebb

On the 22nd of March, Kaleida presents us with In Arms, their first album since Odyssey in 2020 infected with inspirations from the troubles of the world. The ghostly electronic melodies take the listener on a journey of healing with ghostly vocals giving you a feeling that you are not alone in your battles and you will ‘Never walk alone’ as heard in the lyrics of Kilda.

Their previous albums think & Odyssey show their electronic roots, how they have continued their same synth-driven, sound but through In Arms have grown to a more powerful sound

They’ve adapted from working completely by themselves and have now developed their sound whilst working with other musicians during this third album. Hollow, Seagull nun, Stranger, and Don’t Turn Me Out, the singles released prior to the album give a beautiful insight into what the album has in store for listeners.

In Arms, taking the listeners on a healing journey in arms of love and support, being influenced by the war in Ukraine and Russia, the recent pandemic and the climate crisis. Their lyrics and sounds convey the urgency of these matters as well as the pain and struggles that people go through. The album gives a feeling of strength and confidence with dramatic yet ghostly vocals and punchy, intense beats.

Throughout In Arms, they have kept their mysterious flowing synth style giving it a hypnotic ethereal energy. Combined with operatic echoing vocals they have created a cinematic story through their lyrics. Their otherworldly cinematic vibe has been proven as their tracks Think and 99 Luftballons cover has featured in film soundtracks for John Wick, and Atomic Blonde. 

The pandemic proved challenging for Kaleida, as they almost left the music scene for good but came back together once again to produce unique magical rhythms and write lyrics with a sense of support, freedom and recovery. Hollow is a prime example of this as the lyrics give the sense of struggle and trying to get through hard times whilst losing hope. There’s a reassuring repetition to the lyrics most of which are melancholic and words of pain and sadness but the lyric “it’s alright” which is then repeated more and more towards the end of the track gives the album its hopeful, supportive aspect. The lyrics of seagull nun differ with a haunting, darker and almost gothic sound with its words implying a metaphorical captivity and imprisonment within love.

Released March 22nd via Embassy One