Music Existence Because of Music, We Exist
A gentle percussion and a gorgeous synth groove dance back and forth with one another as we listen in on the first few bars of Keyvous’ “Catch A Wave (C.A.W.),” and with the sway of every beat, we find a little bit more color within the growing melody before us. Keyvous starts to sing, and even though his initial attack is as soft and decadent as the rhythm of the drums is, there’s a powerful presence to his words that we won’t soon escape in this latest opus to join the ranks of his other singles released in recent years. In “Catch A Wave (C.A.W.),” this acclaimed vocalist and lyrical master channels elements of retro R&B through an ultra-contemporary sonic lens, and though one could make the argument that he isn’t doing anything differently than he has in the past, I for one think this is what makes the track such an intriguing listen. For longtime supporters, Keyvous is reaffirming everything we’ve already come to know and love about his sound here, and that’s something worth celebrating in this age of ever-changing artistic identities.
As has been the case with past releases, Keyvous’ “Catch A Wave (C.A.W.)” is all about showcasing the epic vocal that he brings to the table, but the production doesn’t value his verses over any of the other elements in the track at all.
There’s a lot of focus on the textures that the most melodic parts add to the latter half of the song, and even though it might not be sporting the most boisterous bassline I’ve heard this September, there’s enough of a kick to the bottom end of the mix that we never feel like the backing band is failing to do their share of the heavy lifting. Keyvous is good at arranging his music, and despite the high-caliber intricacies that we hear in play with this song, he never sounds particularly flustered or incapable of managing the complexities of the music. He’s come a long way since dropping his virgin release, and from where I sit, it’s hard to see the momentum he’s got behind him slowing anytime soon.
If you haven’t heard Keyvous’ music before, now is the right time to get introduced to his sound. 2023 has marked a turning point of maturity, and among its most sterling tracks, “Catch A Wave (C.A.W.)” is probably one of the more complete and well-rounded from top to bottom. There’s still some room for improvement in Keyvous’ work, but the same could be said for any artist in his peer group right now. He isn’t withholding from behind the microphone in “Catch A Wave (C.A.W.);” he’s giving us all of his heart and soul, establishing a style of storytelling that is becoming increasingly more distinguishable from that of his closest rivals, and if he’s able to continue his refinement of technique as he did in the last few months through the decade, I can see his brand making the crossover to the mainstream well before we reach next summer or even sooner.
Benjamin Cross
