EP Review: Kai-Otee - 'The Big Day'

It truly is a big day for punk fans...

From the first second of the first track on Kai-Otee’s latest EP, ‘The Big Day’, this alt/punk duo set out their stall for a high-energy, rebellious ride. 

The Johnny Rotten-esque vocals are filled with not necessarily anger, but passion, and are underscored by playful guitar riffs and frenetic drum beats that bring a wall of noise that feels undeniably immersive. 

That word ‘playful’ seems relevant throughout the tracks; it’s clear that Kai-Otee are having fun experimenting with their music here. You can feel the grin as they visualise how certain tunes would go down in a sweaty, packed Rescue Rooms - the mosh pits would be something else, and they know it. 

‘Xmas Tree’ is a particular favourite of this writer’s, a proper headbanger of a record that appears to lean more into the ‘punk’ than the ‘alt’.

The rest of the record is suitably rocky throughout, covering the spectrum from electric guitar-based Royal Blood-y tunes like ‘They Fail’ to catchy, anthemic songs like ‘Mike Tyson’. What stays true regardless of the track, though, is that they’re all worth your time. 

This really is a big day for Kai-Otee - they’re bound to attract a fresh wave of new fans from this release.

Listen to The Big Day on Spotify.