Kaia KArter albums

2025

Strange Medicine - 82%

In the six years between releases, Kaia Kater has done some rethinking to her approach to her addition to Folk music taking the sound of Appalachia to the northern rules of Canada. Kater does an interesting, takes bluegrass instruments and applies a soulful, wandering spirit to it. Take a song like “Montreal” it is pure abstraction on one level while amazing banjos are strummed all over the place and life is distorted and beautiful. Concepts like “The Internet” seem foreign to Kaia, she has a more real presence to her and she has the kind of staying power that will outlast many of her contemporaries. The album has aa splendid first half, other Highlights include opener “The Witch” which serves as a manifesto for the odd journey that we go on- part Joni Mitchell and part something all her own.

               Side two opens with “Fedon”, another beautiful awe defining merging of all these styles- credit goes to her drummer Phil Melanson as well.  He keeps the tunes such as “Floodlights” and “Tigers” fairly interesting, while some “History in Motion” and “Often as Autumn” sort of just drift. But the excellent first six songs are enough to recommend here, and one of the most unique and powerful experiences folk-rock of the year. The lyrics and instrument playing are always on point. Perhaps Kaia will embrace her psychedelic side even a bit more, she does seem very in touch with nature and I can more see some epic songwriting in her future.

Best Songs: In Montreal, Fedon, the Witch, The internet