Sisters, Kalina & Kiana, are a songwriting pop duo that have opened for Justin Bieber, Andrew McMahon, and The Bangles. Kalina & Kiana discovered sibling harmony in their car seats. Now, in their 20s, they’ve traveled the world, starred in, and written songs for television shows in the US and Europe. While writing for other projects, they found their sound - a unique brand of pop music. Their high energy live shows feature magnetic hooks and lyrics you’ll be singing by the second chorus.
"Golden Age," the title track off Kalina & Kiana's new project, Golden Age EP, adds a nostalgic touch to contemporary, intelligent pop music that ponders the past, present and future. The song opens with the sound of a clock ticking and a needle spinning on a sightly scratchy record. A horn plays a yesteryear melody that sounds like it's coming from an old phonograph. Faint cheers in the background sound like a New Year's Eve party at midnight.
The vocals commence with a clear tone pondering if the best days are yet to come or in the past. The addition of "Ooh-ooh's" at the end of each line adds an old-fashioned touch while modern vocal effects fit today's pop market. Kalina & Kiana trade off verses and background vocals blending their tone like one voice for a seamless, unified performance. The song starts with the highly memorable hook:
"Is this the golden age? Ooh-ooh
Will we see better days? Ooh-ooh
If it’s the golden age Ooh-ooh
Where are the better days? Ooh-ooh"
As the track moves forward, it becomes clear that this is not ordinary pop music. The production is pristine and well-conceived and the lyrics are very thoughtful. Starting with straight-forward block chords on the piano, each chord held for a whole note, the track builds upon the chords with electronic elements and a strong back beat.
Lyrically, "Golden Age" receives high scores for exploring topics like materialism and gratitude "Fabricated happiness might look good now, but here’s the test - If no one noticed would you feel the same? " Towards the end, a poem from J.R.R. Tolkien is sung to the beat of the song: "All that is gold does not glitter,Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost. From the ashes a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring; Renewed shall be blade that was broken, The crownless again shall be king." J.R.R. Tolkien
The connection to the poem can be found in many places and listeners will have to ponder it's meaning in context to yearning for a Golden Age. The term "Golden Age" refers an idyllic vision of past happiness. In literature, it is an age of humankind marked by peace and innocence.
In today's fast paced, quick gratification world, it's easy to feel like the present is never enough or that you missed out on something. "Golden Age" is an intelligent, well-conceived and performed song that will give you a lot to think about and appreciate, both musically and poetically.
#KalinaKiana #TheGoldenAgeEP #GoldenAge #MusicReviews #MusicReviewBlog
Comments