Observations From Kyle's Light Of Mine

It seems as if Kyle's burst onto the scene has been quite sudden, but the Ventura, California artist's comeuppance has been far from sudden, to those paying attention at least. After Rolling Stone named him as "one of the ten artists you need to know" in 2015, that same year Kyle released his second mixtape Smyle to some mild success, although he didn't achieve widespread recognition until the release of his single "iSpy" featuring Lil Yatchy in December of 2016, which peaked at #4 on The U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Though widely known for his abilities to make catchy hits seemingly tailored for the Hot 100 and girls around the world alike, Kyle can easily bar down your favorite rapper over goofy, yet melodic production that highlights his angelic vocals, which can be misleading as Kyle has a speech impediment, which at this point in his career seems to have added more to his amiable personality and rap style. Because Kyle is so known for his "hip pop" style, it was widely expected that his debut album Light Of Mine was going to consist of the qualities that he is best known for; feel good, sing-along songs that you can both sing like Usher and rap like Busta along to (though neither example used is anywhere near the personality on record I'd use to describe him); so did Kyle's light shine brightly or burn out into the dark?  That's what we're here to discuss; check out some key observations from Kyle's debut Light Of Mine.


Light Hearted Hits That Make You Groove


Hits aren't usually something that catch my attention since I'm usually one for more personal/harder hip hop album cuts, but Kyle brings that light hearted R&B heat all throughout Light Of Mine. The opening track "Ups & Downs" starts off with a very high pitched and tweaked voice that discusses what sounds like the party plans of a depressed introvert, but once it gets into the song, it sounds like the complete opposite of depressed with the essence of an early 2000's dance hit, and the swag of Lil Uzi Vert in a dress on steroids. The absolute best song on the album "Babies" featuring the lovely Alessia Cara sounds like that dumb, catchy pop hit you can't get out of your head, yet you love it and can't help but replay it for the 5th time in a row on your aux chord. "Babies" is one of those songs that if ever featured on an edition of "Tiny Desk Concert" or somehow MTV brought Unplugged back, you would swear it'd be the best version of any song to hit the web that week (get Thundercat on the bassline for that one, and you have yourself a performance).



Kid Cudi Influence Is Evident, But Kyle's Far From A Knock Off


Kyle can't pull off the legendary hums the way Cudi can (I swear those things could summon Phoenix's and magical creatures out of secret realms of the universe), but he gives his best impersonation on "To The Moon" (another way he pays homage to Cudi, especially knowing Cudi's discography), and it's still a pretty damn fair one at that. Despite that lisp he was made fun of for in school, Kyle has some pretty amazing abilities when it comes to throwing and forming his voice to fit different musical styles; the hook on "To The Moon" (unless it's vocal effects) sounds almost exactly like a Cudi hum, and in the beginning of "Zoom" he gives a nice little mumble hum that sounds very reminiscent of an early 2010's MOTM Cudi. The sound, theme, and writing approach in the album's final track "Clouds" is almost a direct inspiration draw to Cudi's talks and writing about self loathing, depression, and using the so-called 'Clouds" to feel better... and besides, who couldn't use a few clouds to bring them back to the top of the world anyways?  Kyle isn't impersonating his idol, he's doing something even cooler and more creative; finding ways to pay homage in his music without biting styles.


(*I do not own any of the audio or images posted, or the rights to them*)

Kyle falls just short in the rapping and emceeing aspect of things that I liked so much about Smyle, but he makes up for it in areas that require expert melody-making and song craftsmanship. The features throughout Light Of Mine add just enough to still keep it Kyle's album with a few nice surprises (plus Kehlani is super hot and is a queen of the melody game, as well as Alessia Cara), and each one adds their own perfect bit of DNA to each song, respectively. The album is not for the hardcore rap fans by definition, but if you're looking for a fun and much more positive listen, Light Of Mine could maybe bring some light to your life too with it's exciting musicality, above average guest features, and glowing personality.