#pluto ird

Kidaudra is an electronic artist based in Upstate NY. She's been an artist I've been watching progress since she released her debut EP, the Unknown EP back in 2012. Since then she'd been steadily delivering ethereal, whimsical synth and electro-pop tunes to get lost in. Her previous album Blue Human(2016) was one I thoroughly enjoyed so I was definitely excited to give her new one Pluto IRD a listen and diving into it, it's hasn't disappointed in the slightest.

Where Blue Human was Kidaudra's a colorful and moody version of dream pop that she'd been building since she'd been putting out music for the public, Pluto IRD is Kidaudra doing her take on more of a lonely techno/house sound. This album is less about lyrics and songs but more about building danceable sounds that just as complex and vast as they've always while delivering messages through that. "Hi IRD" starts things off quite nicely with a nice pounding beat, swirling vocals to go along with piano keys as well. It's a nice groove that progresses and adds nice layers as it moves but never loses its ability to make me want to move. "Liquuid Quantize" has a cold almost snowy sound to me as Kidaudra's vocals echo off the walls of the track. The piano chords in there are a nice touch as well. She's done an excellent job with this project of really adding layers to her sound and creating music that just a different experience to sit through.

Pluto IRD is an album inspired by the birth of her first son and the overall experience it was for her. Every track is capturing a particular emotion and state of being she went through having her son. That's a powerful muse, and I believe it's why the songs are so creatively inspired. The aforementioned "Hi IRD" speaks toward( I imagine), constantly thinking about her child. "Goom Heo" more personally lyrically seemed to be referencing the idea of learning to admire something or someone without yearning to have that thing to be whole or feel worthy. Kidaudra states the tracks “Pluto” through “Amniotik” are supposed to represent the stages from labor to birth, and those are amongst the best tracks on the album. I love the aura and bounce of “Amniotik” as a steady beat, airy synths and Kizina's vocals circle around and toward you hear the cries of a baby looped within. I also really enjoy the percussion and laser sounds coming on “Pink Tea” as she croons.

Pluto IRD finds Kidaudra experimenting with sounds and also putting her heart into the music. Her vocals are always emotive and cut through everything that's going on these songs. For it's easily her best project, where Blue Human was great it had certain songs that I knew I'd go back to. On this album though, I feel like every song is sharp front to back an that's it's cohesive and consistently engaging. I definitely recommend giving her music a listen if you're into electronic mainly synth and dream pop music.

Rating: 8.5/10