#lowkey session 02 : Advents

When a band starts a song with "Dim lights of Mont Kiara", you know they're local. Yes, Malaysia is more than just KL, but for those familiar with our capital's geography, Mont Kiara is as urban as we can get. And while obscure examples like the French metal and shoegaze band Mutiara Damansara exists (we don't know if they're still around), Mont Kiara isn't exactly a common subject to sing about even for local bands. Kinda like Advents' sound. Advents' lineup might suggest a straightforward indie (rock) band, but their chord choices and sense of harmony shows otherwise. Their compositions may seem formulaic to some, but their song structures are well thought out - the hooks and choruses are crisp and not repetitive, never taking long to plant themselves in your ears before breaking into purposeful solos that are a breath of fresh air. Speaking of solos, their decision to invite sessionist Luqman for their low-key session was a masterstroke - his sax runs and melodies added a nice contrast to Eimann's calming low baritone. Advents' British indie sensibilities - with Luqman's throwback to 80s pop songs - belie their youthful looks. There is also a tenderness to their music and songwriting, evident in Eimann's vocals and lyrics (such as the introspective and accepting refrain "we both got a bad sense of time" in Bad Sense of Time). Their setlist was fresh at the time of recording, coming from their debut EP "Clueless & Immature" (2020) and the "Swing State" single (2021). They are taking a new form with a new sonic palette and new lineup with their latest release “Pendulum”, but like their name, there is a sense that something is yet to come. Setlist: Bad Sense of Time Kiara Swing State Recorded on 11-12-2021 @advents9290 @low-keysessions