EP: Dust (Part 1) // ARTIST: Caiti Baker
Three years in the making, the dust is far from settling on the latest outing from compelling Darwin songstress Caiti Baker as she stirs up a triumph of ingenuity, power and pristine production on Dust (Part 1).
Stemming from a period of personal and creative evolution, present-day Caiti Baker is an artist quite simply impossible to ignore; an old world soul coiled alongside a dynamic, contemporary dynamo, Baker has always worn her heart on her sleeve with her mighty vocals and genre-defying ways. But it's in fact in 2019 that we find this Darwin artist at her absolute best, both sonically and personally, as she leaps forth into fearless new waters with her latest EP Dust (Part 1).
Following a clear-cut journey of rebirth, reflection, resilience and acceptance, Dust kicks off with Gone, full of drawling pianos, sublime melodic shifts and damp percussion that are equal parts powerful, vulnerable and mesmerising, with modern production mixing seamlessly between some cinematic old-world charm. Gasoline follows next, opening with sleek vocal lines skimming over deep, lurking tones that ultimately build into an emboldened anthem to those who have fallen prey to gaslighting or harassment while dressed to the nines with vintage hip hop vibes and rich, modern textures.
GONE (CAITI BAKER)
The ghostly Saint unfurls next, brandishing fluid pianos and moody textures while Baker proves she's equally expressive in her smoky lower register as she is with her breathier moments. Production gets a special nod here with shuddering touches and dissonant melodics swirling into a hypnotic ode to embracing resilience and vulnerability before closing track Enough serves up yet another powerful outing - but with distinct levels of optimistic hope. Between deep, billowing basslines and lush arrangements, Enough is a genre-mash of soul, hip hop and pure class, emphasising the importance of accepting that you are, in fact, enough.
While four songs may not seem enough to truly convey every facet of the soul, Caiti Baker has managed to create a terrifyingly powerful yet intimate collection of sonic gems that capture Baker's own personal journey while simultaneously sparking alight an unmistakable metamorphosis for the listener. There is something truly breathtaking behind Dust (Part 1), conjured equally by the haunting themes, potent writing and Baker's own daring sense of self and ultimately marking a dazzling milestone in the ongoing career of one of Australia's most profound modern artists.
CAITI BAKER'S BRAND NEW EP DUST (PART 1) IS OUT IN THE WORLD NOW VIA SETTLE DOWN RECORDS, FOR MORE INFO HEAD HERE.
BY TIANA SPETER