Karun's 'Catch A Vibe' EP Sets The Perfect Mood
“The title says it all, it's catching a vibe. That's literally where I was at. I didn't want it to be too serious or too heavily themed either. I just wanted it to be honest. And that's how I was feeling.”
Following a momentary hiatus, Kenyan R&B artist Karun has released her much awaited Catch A Vibe EP. Debuting as a member of Camp Mulla in 2009, Karun has since stepped into her own, shaking off the ‘Miss Karun’ moniker and establishing herself as an artist in her own right. As Karun’s career has evolved, she’s explored a wide range of sounds, currently settling on a blend of afrobeats-tinged alternative R&B first explored on 2019 single, ‘Glow Up’. The universality of Catch A Vibe’s breezy, summer time feel which is largely underpinned by afrobeats inspired sounds is a through line felt throughout the project and was an intentional decision on the artistes part in order to broaden her reach. “I've had fun with it in the past,” Karun recounts, “I also knew that I wanted to position this EP, not just in Kenya, not just with the people who already know me. I wanted it to be a sound that can travel. I feel like people everywhere, North America, South America, South Africa, West Africa can connect with this sound. That's where I was going with that.” This influenced her decision in enlisting producers Higo and Le Mav from Nigeria and Atlanta based MOMBRU.
The precarity of the COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly had devastating effects, upending and disrupting livelihoods but in some ways has provided a beneficial moment of stillness for some. Having to cancel a tour due to the pandemic that would have brought her to audiences across Africa, Europe, the US and Asia turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Karun. “I was actually really happy because I felt like too much was happening and I needed time to breathe and figure out what I really wanted,” she recounts. “When the pandemic hit there was that time to breathe.” This period enabled Karun to rejuvenate, tapping into other forms of creativity such as working with plants and doodling which paved the way for a wave of creativity halfway through 2020. “I was all of a sudden, extremely inspired. So I was making a lot of music, but not in my house. I would just walk around, drive around with my gear and backpack, waiting for inspiration. Then when the moment struck I would record right there.”
Catch A Vibe is equal parts motivational, fun and laid-back in it’s exploration of themes ranging from self-love to heartbreak, self-discovery to grinding and gratitude. “The title says it all, it's catching a vibe,” Karun divulges, “That's literally where I was at. I didn't want it to be too serious or too heavily themed either. I just wanted it to be honest. And that's how I was feeling.” The EP is sonically and technically faultless whilst Karun’s adept penmanship and vocal ability are showcased throughout the project.
What began as an outro to the EP’s second single “I Know”, self-produced “Let me know (Intro)” perfectly sets the stage for the rest of the EP. Karun’s innate musicality shines through as her voice takes centre stage carried by hypnotically lush, acoustic vocal layers. On the project’s next track,“Paths”, Higo’s percussive-driven, minimal production creates enough room for Karun and Botswanan artist Mpho Sebina’s delicate voices to converse. They deliver messages of affirmation “Oh I see you/Working hard/You know where you’re going/do it yeah” and remind us of the importance of seeking wisdom from those who’ve walked this path before us on the songs bridge.
Recorded in the moment as an act of catharsis,“Here With Me”, again produced by Higo, captures the bittersweet of heartbreak as the emotive lyrics are juxtaposed with the song's light, breezy production and upbeat tempo. “This was just like a love song that had no deeper meaning. It didn't mean anything to do with my life,” says Karun. “When we got closer to when the EP was together, I had a break up and it was so deep. You know, when you think things will be a certain way; that took back the rug from under my feet. What began as a throw-away love song with little meaning morphed into a breakup song offering hope at the end. On MOMBRU produced “Just Friends”, Karun enlists rising Kenyan rapper Kahu$h for an unexpected but fitting and catchy collaboration. The EP’s lead, also produced by MOMBRU.“Catch A Vibe” blends afro-influenced sonic elements with pop sensibilities creating a mood reminiscent of sipping cocktails at the beach at sundown.
“I Know” served as a rekindling of Karun’s musical creativity at the height of the pandemic and is a thank you to her fans for patiently waiting. Le Mav artfully crafted the perfect pocket for Karun’s vocals on this infectious single that blends elements of afrobeats, R&B and drill. However, Karun explores deeper themes of self-love and the rejuvenation of working through and letting go of your trauma: “Learn ya lesson, see what you can do/ When you clear your trauma” “Sometimes letting go propels you forward”. During our conversation, Karun candidly opened up about the process of working through her mental health that inspired these lyrics, developing meditative practices to manage bouts of anxiety and depression.
The EP delivers a motivating final message, encouraging us all to adapt a hustler’s mentality as it closes out with “Grind”. “No one ever taught me how to grind/leave it up to someone else that would be a crime,” croons Karun on the hook. A labour of love, finding the right features for this track was an arduous task, a factor serendipitously reflected on the track's off-kilter, dissonant quality. However, lending their haunting vocal delivery and relatable lyrics, LA-based artist Chase Aaron and Nairobi’s own Xenia Manasseh proved to be the perfect missing pieces to round out the track.
As our conversation draws to a close I ask how, after over 10 years, she’s managing to strike the balance between making music out of love for the art form and managing the pressures of pursuing it as a career without coming to resent that choice. The key Karun elucidates is in not allowing music to be her only option, that there can be life outside of and after a career as an artist. Her current goals are staying grounded, happy and healthy.
Stream Catch A Vibe here.
