New Internationale by Kit Sebastian

The Feature Album this week on 2SER is New Internationale by Kit Sebastian.

words by Josh Ray

If you randomly threw a dart onto a world map, chances are that Kit Sebastian could talk your ear off about the musical history of whatever country it lands on.

I’m not quite sure whether anyone has yet approached a game of darts in this fashion, not least because the duo’s third album, New Internationale, only came out last Friday. If you’re a serviceable dart thrower (dartist?) and ever find yourself surrounded by the more musically knowledgeable of your friends, perhaps you can be the first.

Looking at the history of the band, it’s not hard to see how Kit Sebastian have expanded this breadth of influences. Members K Martin and Merve Erdem rarely live in the same place for any more than a few months at a time. Though they’re both based in London, a relentless touring cycle sees them on the road a lot, finding joy and interest in exploring the sonic history of each new city they visit. Erdem also grew up in Turkey, a fact that becomes apparent upon listening to New Internationale as she phases between her native language and English from track-to-track.

Reading the album’s credits makes it apparent that Kit Sebastian have been successful in their quest for a global groove. It seems as though every letter in the alphabet will have a corresponding instrument, from an acoustic guitar or a balalaika to a zither or zurna. From the first few seconds of opener ‘Faust’, you’ll find one of the catchiest bağlama riffs you might ever hear, unscored by a microtonal bassline which does not waver as the track grows in jaminess. Erdem sings in her native Turkish, while Martin responds with a vocal passage of his own at the back end. This record is full of moments like this, expanding its pool of influences with the input of each new synth texture or the sound of a previously unfamiliar brass chime.

It’s then not surprising that Kit Sebastian shares a space with contemporaries like Khrungbin and labelmates Hiatus Kaiyote, while also taking influence from more pre-naughts artists a la French indie experimentalists Stereolab and Brazil’s legendary Os Mutantes. Of the latter two, the duo also share their music as a vanguard for social and political commentary, with Erdem often contrasting her own alienation as a migrant over a backdrop of pan-continental melodies and rhythms (see: ‘Bul Bul Bul’).

For an album as dense in its sonic influences, New Internationale is surprisingly easy on the ears. Erdem and Martin’s vocal dynamic is pretty, and the bossa nova chord progressions invokes footage of those packed beaches on the coast of Brazil, volleyball games and colourful umbrellas inclusive. Tracks like ‘The Kiss’ and ‘Mechanics of Love’ would fit into any Spring or Summer playlist alongside someone like Mac DeMarco. 

New Internationale is as much of a protest as it is a celebration. Kit Sebastian recognises that harmony is an increasingly rare commodity at present, so they sought to create a little of their own.

New Internationale is out Now Via Brainfeeder

2SER Subscribers can win a copy on limited edition vinyl.