Review: Kenna
Make Sure They See My Face

Art Courtesy of kennakenna.com

By Jasmine Gallman
VOX Staff

Musicians often rave about starting a revolution through their music. They seek to ignite something big and contagious that will touch listeners’ hearts with unmistakable sincerity. Although their notion is ambitious (and possibly insane), the real deal is that some listeners are apathetic people who just happened to buy a kick-a*$ record. Sometimes the music itself fails to wake up listeners: the inspirational message gets lost, the contagious energy that could have been vanishes, and the music is music, nothing else — revolution be damned.

With Kenna, however, this is not necessarily true despite the slow-moving wave of his popularity. Fused with elements of pop, rock, dance, and yes, even a little hip hop (Hello there, Pharrel. I didn’t expect to hear you on track three!), Kenna’s album, “Make Sure They See My Face,” has taken a cue to escape mediocrity and embrace the dying act of schizophrenic glory by fusing unexpected elements into his music. From the chaotic, proud anthem “Outta Control” to the slower-paced, calm, soothing beats of “Static,” the listener is never robbed of variety, stalling the clutches of boredom.

“Phantom Always” an ominous song about the lingering presence of loved one demands attention in its three-minute symphony of Kenna’s smooth voice combined with synchronized heartbeats. Here, it is evident that a long lost type of genre is being re-introduced: Good Honest Music. It’s a glimpse into something special — that there in your hands is an album that could transform your way of looking at music. It’s a magic rarely felt for the small price I paid of $9.99.