After receiving critical acclaim in 2013 for their debut album, Sleep In The Water, the music world was rocked when news broke earlier this year that Melbourne five-piece Snakadaktal was no more. Since the unexpected disbanding, we have seen some of the members cameo in other musical projects (Phoebe's vocal lending to Hopium’s “Dreamers” comes to mind); however, we're finally seeing a fully fleshed out musical endeavour rise from the Snaka's ashes in the form of "Kagu", the new solo project from Snakadaktal co-vocalist and guitarist Sean Heathcliff. Tonally, the debut single “Shadow Of The Wind” is a departure from the generally upbeat sounds Snakadaktal put forth. We're first met with an understated guitar arrangement that plucks away inconspicuously in the background upon which Heathcliff delivers his gruff, impassioned vocals, and as the track plays out, the minimalism and fragility of the composition reveals a maturity from the young artist that we had yet to see from him in his previous works. With a surprising level of depth and sophistication on display from Heathcliff here, we look forward to hearing how Kagu will continue to grow as an artist as he prepares to release his debut EP early next year through Liberation Music. "Shadow of the Wind" will be released on iTunes on December 1st.
Kagu