By Jeanette Arsenault
I tried several times to capture the right way to describe Kendama’s driving energy song *Wine* and decided that their own description said it best:
“Inspired in equal measures by synth pop and pop punk, Kendama combine addictive, hook laden songwriting, massive pop production and intense live performance.”
Described as synth pop, pop punk, alt pop, I can see why Vic Galloway of BBC Scotland called their sound “stadium pop”. As their promo kit says *Wine* is “rapturous energy….intent on getting the crowd jumping” and I can certainly picture a stadium filled with thousands of fans jumping with them, fists pumping in the air and singing their lungs out.
This is not a word of a lie – I listened to this song at least 10 times in a row before I started to write my thoughts down. The song is catchy, hooky, deliciously fun with a relentless driving energy that demands to be heard.
From the start, you are immediately carried away by the sheer danceability of *Wine* and in reality, they didn’t need to do anything else to keep my interest for the full 3:26 length of the song.
Great vocals, driving rhythm, hooky synth, likeable/singable melody – what’s not to love!
Speaking of which, I love love LOVE the arrangement that whips you into a dance frenzy from the very start and goes on to give plenty of space to different song elements.
Like the space for great harmonies in one spot then lots of open space around the vocals with just a touch of synth, then back with the vocals this time with just drums & synth.
Wait – what’s this? Now it’s Reggae? Reggae? How cool is that!
Then drive the song home full band a-jumping and pulses a-pumping because you’re on a rocking ride to the fun side.
It’s worth repeating about the great vocals in *Wine* – it takes a strong voice to carry a song when there are only minimal instruments to support it/surround it Less skilled vocalists prefer to let the music overtake their vocals and prop them up with a lot of padding.
Props for the chops on this song – very very good vocals.
Love the song. Have a listen – bet you will want to hear it to the very last note.
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