SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: KEVIN KRAUTER – FULL HAND

Kevin Krauter
Full Hand
Bayonet Records

Singer-songwriter Kevin Krauter is back with his sophomore album, Full Hand, an album comprised of warm reverb-heavy tones, soft 808 drums, and holistic lyrics that simplify the different worries and anxieties one may face over the progression of life.

Krauter has an innate ability to dress his heavier lyrics with light tones and melodies that keep the spirit of the music high and almost happy. I credit this to the wonderful combination of reverb-heavy guitar tones, melodic and perfectly moderated synths, and soothing vocal melodies. Full Hand’s identity lies within its guitar work, whether it’s the bright acoustic sound paired with the carribean-like drums found in “Kept”, or the droning bass coupled with dreamy arpeggios that can specifically be found in “Opportunity”, which is also his best track vocally. Overall, Full Hand is a very instrumentally-sound fusion of synths, guitar tones, and 808 drums.

Vocally, one could argue Full Hand is Krauter’s best work. Tracks like “Opportunity” and “Patience” demonstrate his tranquil falsetto, and title track “Full Hand” and “Surprise” show off his lazy alt pop vocal. Pair the splendid vocal performance with the simple yet weighty lyrics continuously found in songs like “Piper” and “Green Eyes” and you have a quality record.

While Krauter’s sound does vary greatly throughout the record, each song cohesively fits under the Full Hand brand and the sound never strays too far away from its core as an album. While the genre of alt pop/bedroom pop continues to grow immensely, so does Kevin Krauter. Full Hand is an enjoyable and worthwhile listen, and his is a name I’ll find thriving in most of my playlists from this point on.

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