Kaytranada 99.9% (CD)

In the era of SoundCloud, one simple edit can launch a career. Just ask Kevin Celestin akaKaytranada. His unofficial remix of Janet Jackson’s “If,” which now sits close to six million plays, earned him his very first gigs, starting out in Canada and ending up all over the world. Last year, the Montreal artist toured with Madonna. The popularity of Kaytranada’s “If” edit is easy to understand. It took a bubbly and familiar song and gave it a retro makeover, with a killer bassline and a subdued charm that felt assured for a rookie producer. And it wasn’t a fluke: though the 23-year-old producer hasn’t had any comparable hits, his music has only grown richer and more complex.

Celestin makes a warm mix of classic hip-hop, disco and soul, and the smoothness of it all feels like an antidote to the EDM stars he often plays alongside. That style comes to a head on ‘99.9%’, Celestin’s long-awaited debut album for XL, where he gears his classicist tendencies more towards head-nodding songs than dance floor fodder.

For a debut album from such a young artist, ‘99.9%‘ is remarkably self-assured. It sets up Celestin as someone carving out his niche. He’s a young artist with diverse taste and a wide knowledge of records, and the raw talent to work those influences into a unique sound. (Resident Advisor)

Tracklist:
A1 Track Uno 5:44
A2 Bus Ride 2:13
A3 Got It Good 3:48
A4 Together 3:17
B1 Drive Me Crazy 4:37
B2 Weight Off 2:35
B3 One Too Many 3:38
C1 Despite The Weather 2:01
C2 Glowed Up 4:58
C3 Breakdance Lesson N.1 4:28
C4 You’re The One 3:47
D1 Vivid Dreams 4:36
D2 Lite Spots 3:50
D3 Leave Me Alone 4:37
D4 Bullets 4:59