This is our first taste of funkadelic neo-soul legends Hiatus Kaiyote since their tantalising debut release Tawk Tomahawk in 2013.

The three track EP By Fire is a prelude to their forthcoming sophomore album Choose Your Weapon due out early next year.

The genre-defying group from Melbourne are just as mesmerising as ever on this release and it is oh so easy to listen to. Just like you could listen to their full length record and feel as if only a few minutes have passed by, this little three track sampler feels as if it’s over as soon as you hit play. This only makes you hit play another thousand times before you realise it’s already 4pm and you still haven’t changed clothes for the day, oh well.

Each song transports your mind into separate undiscovered worlds of loveliness and it seems this EP might be the perfect preamble in what to expect more of in the very near future from the four-piece. The synth-laden intro to ‘By Fire’ is nearly as attention grabbing as lead singer Nai Palm’s super-strong pulsating vocals. Whereas the intro to ‘Laputa’ makes you feel as if you are at a grand ball during the prohibition era in Atlantic City. It is full of scatty vocals and plucky bass which complement each other superbly. The beautiful rhythms of ‘Molasses’ are very much the Hiatus Kaiyote we have heard and loved. The groovy outro to the EP leaves you wishing, pleading there was more, don’t worry there will be soon!

They have already garnered the admiration of such names as Q-Tip, Questlove and Prince, received a for “Best R&B Performance” Grammy nomination for tune ‘Nakamarra’ as well as touring extensively abroad including SXSW, which they are set to join for the second year running.

Hiatus Kaiyote are always moving quickly but they are back in Australia for a while as they tour for the Sonic Architects National Conference with fellow Melbourne pals Remi, Kirkis and Silent Jay. They will also be joining the man himself Paul Kelly for a string of shows on his Merri Soul-Sessions tour early next year.

Expect to hear these awesome new tunes on both of these tours!

For more info on Hiatus Kaiyote, visit their Facebook page.

Get unlimited access to the coverage that shapes our culture.
to Rolling Stone magazine
to Rolling Stone magazine