Kaytranada: '99.9%' album review

Kaytranada releases debut album 99.9% showcasing a range of dance styles from R&B to funk and soul, a testament to his skills as prolific producer. The Haitian-Canadian DJ has been performing and producing for nearly a decade and it shows throughout the production. Yet the Kaytranada’s real strength here comes from its many collaborators that appear across the majority of the record.

The eclectic funk beats of opener “Track Uno” set the tone for the 99.9% in a lengthy buildup that takes time to swell and dwell in the subtleties of its hand claps. Downtempo grooves on the “Bus Ride” lull give a brief glimpse of symphonic hip hop, with a quieted tension in its frenetic drum work and overlay of piano tinkles. By the appearance of Craig David in “Got It Good” you remember that Kaytranada is a stellar producer that excels at matching vintage sounds with raw talent. Featured guests double up in the groove laden “Together” as AlunaGeorge carries sweetened melodies and GoldLink drops a verse to add even further texture. Vic Mensa infiltrates  “Drive Me Crazy” in a swirl of warm bass synths and swagger, though before long the track echoes into itself in harmonizing instrumental.

BadBadNotGood leads “Weight Off” in a precise jazz rhythms, likely returning the guest appearance favor as Kaytra also featured on the group’s recent IV album. As Phonte sings and flows his past exploits, “One Too Many” showcases what Kaytranada does well. Brief warmth in “Despite The Weather” passes through like the continuation of the bus ride before it, positive beats and a humorous radio mistake feature. Anderson Paak shares on lately being “Glowed Up” with the admission feeling like the only one out there, changing tempo completely 3 minutes later in an inspiring changeover. “Breakdance Lesson N.1” feels ripped straight off a Kaytranada live set in layers upon layers of funky instrumental grooves that continually builds upon itself.

Odd Future’s Syd The Kid adds harmonizing sweetness to “You’re The One,” and is another guest who’s recently featured the producer in their Ego Death project. River Tiber offers vocal duties throughout “Vivid Dreams” and here you start to wonder just how in the world the producer employed all the featured talent. Peculiar vocal samples fill “Lite Spots” in an incessant rhythmic device of bass warbles and drum claps. Shay Lia likely offers the most surprising feature in the textured “Leave Me Alone” track, matching dance heavy beats with her sweetly soothing croons. As Little Dragon’s Yukimiki Nagano lends vocals to closing track “Bullets” the closing hums feel like an ellipses of something further to come.

Honestly after just about an hour of dance variety it’s difficult to further emphasize the record without a bit of redundancy. Kaytranada’s 99.9% establishes the artist’s credibility as a bit more than just ‘instrumental hip hop’ DJ but a production force to be reckoned with. Let’s just hope the next record doesn’t take another decade to come around.