What does Kathryn Joseph sound like?

Truth and honesty purging their demons out over the piano until subdued.

The review of Kathryn Joseph – for those who are the wronged (Lomond Campbell remixes)

Remix albums can be incredibly difficult to get right at the best of times. Then you have to take into account just how visceral and haunting Kathryn Joseph’s music is and the subject matters she tackles. It needs handling delicately and respectfully, whilst also being transformational. Enter Lomond Campbell, a fantastic musician in his own right, to completely reform and sculpt an electric piano and vocal forward album into an alternative electronic release. It is the Scottish powerhouse I didn’t know I needed until I heard it.

photo of Kathryn Joseph — Kathryn joseph

Five tracks from ‘for those who are the wronged’ have been singled out for the remix album and each one is tackled slightly differently. Lomond Campbell doesn’t try and make them dancefloor anthems. Instead, he twists them into hazy alternative electronica numbers that have more in common with Fever Ray, Clark or Caribou than your typical DJ. It pays off handsomely as these tracks stand alone miles away from the originals yet you can totally hear Kathryn Joseph’s pulse and grit blasting through at all times.

‘what is keeping you alive makes me want to kill them’ is probably the most mainstream arrangement. Everything is tuned to a low twilight. Vocals are distorted and tuned down for additional melodies and the synths are like light hues shimmering in and out. Underpinning it all is a speedy synth run that evokes a modular synth chaos at times as it phases around the mix. Kathryn Joseph’s voice powers through it all like a balm of angst and refuge for the hurt. It’s a superb opener and keeps the same intensity as the original. ‘the burning of us all’ turns the main melody into a synthwave throb that has the slightest tape warp to it. Adding in some guitar and mid-tempo beats gives it a slightly seedy and dangerous 80s tone in keeping with Fever Ray’s debut album. The haunt is still there, but now we’ve gone sparkles and glitter in the downfall too.

‘long gone’ turns the taut and cathartic original into a track with power piano chords, sharp arps and deep beats. It feels like an escape track from a movie. The way Lomond uses the layers of Kathryn’s backing vocals to create entirely new melodies and washes of noise is also inspired. ‘until the truth of you’ reminds me of SOHN. The piano is rewritten as a rubbery synth line that bounces perfectly to the tinny microbeats. It works so well and keeps the fierce intensity of Joseph’s vocals for a cathartic finale too. The closing piece ‘call it out’ turns the track into a subdued throbbing ambient wash. Like a dreamy Imogen Heap or SHHE number, the synths numb the pain like a fluffy sound cloud. Kathryn’s vocals are chopped into little breaths as if the record is exhaling all the pain out too and it’s a satisfying way to round out the release.

Put simply, I shouldn’t have been surprised that so much care and attention went into this release. Remix albums get a bad rap when they are cookie-cutter and disrespectful. This is neither of those. Lomond Campbell works absolute wonders giving these tracks an intense numbness and groove that showcases both his creativity and Kathryn Joseph’s songwriting and performance. I have a personal theory that the entire collection reimagines the songs after a concussion as if your head is swimming in sound and senses. Whatever the genesis, this is a fine remix and reworking of a stunning album. Fans of Kathryn Joseph will discover fresh ideas from the originals and fans of thoughtful electronica will adore this too. Superb.

Recommended track: what is keeping you alive makes me want to kill them (Lomond Campbell remix)

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