When BBC Radio 6 presenter, Steve Lamacq says “I’ve not stopped playing this for days” you know you have to check out the track. The track mentioned is the new single What Have You Done? by Korda Korder. The Hastings artist delivers a soothing guitar-orientated track that pulls on the heartstrings and doesn’t move past that.
Not much is known about Korda Korder, whether they’re a band or a single artist, there isn’t even a picture of them on the internet. This reviewer couldn’t even find a Spotify account, but what is known is the reputable feedback from radio stations towards this new single.
The song begins as it ends, gentle guitar chords ring out with haunting female vocals layered over the top. The steady tempo and somber subject matter leaves a heavy atmosphere, whilst the music might be relaxing, there’s certainly an uneasy feeling around the subject matter. What Have You Done? Does acquire additional instrumentation in the latter half with a secondary guitar adding a bit of meat to the overall sound and slight synths adding a texture of further emotion.
The closing moments of the track are its highlight where multiple layered guitars play over each other and the sound feels full. However, being such a steady track, you spend the three minutes wondering when it’s going to change or even kick in. Now there’s nothing wrong with a track never returning or keeping at the same pace, but at least it needs some diversity.
The tones of the guitar are warming to the soul and the vocals create a deep thinkpiece, but it also feels underwhelming. Not to discredit the high praise from radio stations, but the song lacks creativity. I don’t know how Steve Lamacq could keep listening to it as it feels as though Korda Korder has said everything they need to after a couple plays. If this was simply an introduction on an album into something more adventurous then that would be fine, but to be the starting single raises more questions about what the band is than what they’ve tried to establish.
What Have You Done is a merger between indie and Dreampop with the ambition to create an atmospheric piece. Dreampop bands certainly bring a lot more to the table sound-wise, regardless of song structure. If you wanted a moment to tune out and drown in a three-minute guitar piece, then this is the perfect song. Simultaneously I’m left annoyed in wanting more, not through anticipation of what Korda Korder produces next, but that this single feels unfinished.
What Have You Done? is more than a song title, it leads me to ask Korda Korder the same thing.
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