During my time abroad in Sweden, I was introduced to many artists from all over the world due to all the international students I met. One group that really caught my ear was the Australian group Hiatus Kaiyote, a self-proclaimed future soul band. Their sound is like nothing I’ve ever heard before. Although they have deep roots in funk and soul, they make music without boundaries and with atypical melodies that sound almost alien to the ear.

I was first introduced to a song off their second album, “Choose Your Weapon,” called “The Lung.” It’s a very subtle piece that builds and shrinks with the help of some strings but then, without notice, turns into a rhythmic, driven style and then suddenly returns back to its original subtlety. It flows between each section creating a unique blend of sound that is true of almost any Hiatus Kaiyote song.

Fronted by singer, songwriter and guitarist Nai Palm, Hiatus Kaiyote has been making music since 2011. Their first song to achieve commercial success was “Nakamarra,” a sweet, soulful love song which got them a Grammy nomination in 2013 for best R&B song. This record shows off the immense talent of the whole group, with beautiful keyboard riffs by Simon Mavin (also of The Bamboos), funky bass lines by Paul Bender and driving beats from Perrin Moss. This song also got a remix by adding a verse by popular rapper Q-Tip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ozr4KsZBTvQ

Another powerful track is “Molasses,” which is all about funk, and both Mavin and Bender bring it. It’s their sounds that add a strong layer to the song, while Palm’s voice runs smoothly between verse and chorus. The best part of the song is when it breaks into the bridge, which has a huge change of color compared to the rest of the track. The bridge explodes with percussive sound, then the chorus comes back but with a new, even funkier vibe. It’s definitely my favorite track by them.

Their song, “Breathing Underwater,” was nominated for the best R&B song Grammy, the second time they’ve been nominated in this same category. The song is a tribute to Stevie Wonder and you can hear it in its complexities and soulfulness. The song has an encompassing style that fills the room and, amidst the chaos, still has a calming sense to it.

Hiatus Kaiyote shows no sign of stopping. They have created a unique and strong sound that has clearly put them on the map. I’m looking forward to seeing how they evolve and hopefully they win that Grammy. Be sure to check them out, —I only gave you a small snapshot of their music, but they are truly talented through and through.