Kyau & Albert (or sometimes known as Kyau vs Albert) are a Berlin-based duo that have gained a following in dance and trance music and are also known for founding one of the strongest trance labels in Germany, Euphonic. Not only have they done various mixes for other artists that have been noticed, but their previous album Here We Are Now was released in multiple countries and was received well even though some have complained that the duo isn't that innovative in their music.
Their choice of Steven Albert doing most of the vocals is also criticized because they believe it leaves some of the tracks lacking, which is probably due to many people's belief that male vocals tend to take away from the atmosphere of true trance music. It seems the duo has ignored its critics, however, and followed their usual recipe in their latest release, Wordvibe. This release once again consists of two discs, with the first CD being filled with new tracks while the second disc is a bonus disc with various remixes.
The first disc opens with a peppy track called "Walk Down." It's a vocal trance track with some nice breakbeat influences with the vocals done by Albert himself, and it tends to stand out as my favorite on this disc. While I think this song would have stood out more with female vocals, Albert still has a very interesting voice that gives it a light, warm airy feeling which helps to give the track a certain energy about it- which is a great way to start the album.
The second track, "Always A Fool," sounds like an Oceanlab track with a warm, floating atmosphere with female vocals done by Viola that are very soft and warm, just like the surrounding musical elements. This is more of what you would expect from a mild trance track, so it is definitely not disappointing. Another trance tune is the track "Kiksu," which is very catchy- using an uptempo beat that definitely deviates from the first two tracks.
"Run" is the next track, and even though it contains female vocals provided by Julia Lutat with a combination of quick breakbeats and a dreamy atmosphere, it is by far one of the weaker tracks on the disc. It doesn't effectively blend the various elements and it comes across lackluster at times, while Julia Lutat's voice doesn't stand out against most of the trance divas out there today. "Are You Fine," however, is a great uplifting trance song that is complimented with a strong hook line even though the vocals can be lacking at times. This track, however, will be more memorable than most of the other songs on this CD. Kyau & Albert go a bit more experimental with the track "Metrosun," a somewhat upbeat and trippy track.
The track blends techno-influenced beats with African chanting that definitely provides for an interesting change in pace at the middle of the disc.
One of the darker tracks on the CD is "The Jitters" which is alluring with its dark and seductive sound that would fit into a movie soundtrack quite nicely with it's sci-fi inspired theme created by atmospheric breakbeats. Kyau & Albert switches gears with a more subdued disco-oriented trance song called "7 Skies." The track has a catchy melody that is laden with vocal effects, while "Our Own Devices" is a short musical track that consists of roaring breaks and crazy mechanical chords. Going back to a more clubby sound, "Riding On A Star" uses a hypnotic vocal sample as a instrument that adds to the somewhat spacey track. The last three tracks slow things down a bit, with "Hide And Seek" playing more like a pop tune that is somewhat whiny and strange, with Albert's vocals (which don't work for me at all).
"Teddybears" is more of an ambient, atmospheric tune that is reminiscent of the Aphex Twin's work in the early 90s, while the dreamy ambience of "Hooked On Infinity" makes for a great ending track with its spacey synths.
The second disc is a bonus disc filled with full mixes and remixes by Kyau vs Albert. The most outstanding track on this disc is their beautiful version of Oceanlab's "Sirens Of The Sea" and the Original Mixes of "Are You Fine." While the other 8 tracks aren't bad, they are somewhat forgettable and more likely to end up at best as filler tracks on DJ sets. The disc also contains a video clip of the "Walk Down" video with some nice graphical effects but nothing extraordinary.
While the album isn't going to turn heads with its subdue and less than innovative sound, I still think Worldvibe is a great album to listen to. The songs tend to have a peppy and happy vibe that are usually enhanced with catchy melodies that make for a fun listen. This is definitely an album you need to get if you are looking for something positive and upbeat for a day out on the beach or just a simple night out on the town.
