Music Review: KaiL Baxley, A Light That Never Dies

By Melissa Bratcher

While KaiL Baxley has interesting autobiographical details about which a book could be written (Golden Gloves champion, as a child held dance offs with his neighbor James Brown), what is the most fascinating is his new album A Light That Never Dies. A follow up to his 2013 debut Heatstroke/The Wind And The War, his latest is a genre-bending masterpiece, an album with many layers, all shot through with Baxley’s fascinating voice. A Light That Never Dies just gets better on repeated listenings. It’s definitely a “headphones on” sort of record; there are rich nuances and instruments buried down in the mix, and Baxley’s voice is swoon-worthy.

A Light That Never Dies doesn’t fit neatly into any category. “Tell The Falling Sun” is straight-up doo wop with Stax horns and breathy back-up singers. “Morning Light” feels like a Ray Lamontagne acoustic jam, and it falls squarely in the singer/songwriter camp. If you bought the album thinking singer/songwriter = all acoustic guitar and introspection, you would be shocked at the breadth of Baxley’s genre hopping, all of which he does with great aplomb. “The Ballad Of Johnny Steel” is a minimalist showcase for Baxley’s rich croon; sultry bass, human beatboxing, and syncopated drums make it feel avant garde. It’s simply brilliant.

The title track begins with subsonic bass vocals in the chorus, overlaid by Baxley’s soulful, plaintive vocals. Rich with scatting drums and glockenspiel, it’s collage-like. A honk of harmonica becomes a mad plea that bursts into funky horns. The cinematic and sexy “Mr. Downtown” is insanely good: a nimble bass line pairs with fingersnaps, a gospel chorus of “whoo’s” illuminate, and Baxley’s vocals are smoke and whiskey. “Better FeelN’ Better” brings the funk again with a churchy choir, syncopation in the drums, and a dirty bass sound. Baxley’s vocals are dreamlike.

Lest one think A Light That Never Dies is all funk and doo wop (which would be excellent, because Baxley is fantastic at those), on the haunting “Owe,” a melancholy fiddle pulls over a dark, urgent acoustic guitar. Baxley’s husky voice is as comfortable here as it is on the funkier songs. “Troubled Souls” is another atmospheric, yearning track. I had to listen to it on repeat to figure out the lyrics (Baxley is a fine lyricist, as well), not because they were unintelligible (they’re not), but because I was so caught up in the feeling of the song, rather than the words. His voice becomes another instrument.

On A Light That Never Dies, KaiL Baxley shows his incredible versatility and talent. When he takes on a genre, he inhabits its world fully and believably. It’s a magnificent record with excellent songwriting and addictive tunes. KaiL Baxley’s voice is stunning and his album is a fine showcase for his rare vision.

A Light That Never Dies was released by Forty Below Records on June 2.

Tour Dates:
Jun 10 Awendaw Green Barn Jam Awendaw, SC
Jun 12 Tin Roof w/ Danielle Howle Charleston, SC
Jun 13 Satellite Bar Wilmington, NC
Jun 14 Deep South Bar Raleigh, NC
Jun 16 Ashland Coffee & Tea Ashland, VA
Jun 17 The Garage Charlottesville, VA
Jun 18 Ebenezer’s Coffeehouse (7:30-8:10) Washington, DC
Jun 19 Godfrey Daniels Bethlehem, PA
Jun 20 Rockwood Music Hall – Stage 3 New York, NY
Jun 21 Club Passim Cambridge, MA
Jun 23 Mocha Maya’s Shelburne Falls, MA
Jun 24 Cyber West Café Binghamton, NY
Jun 27 Jilly’s Music Room (6:30-7:30pm) Akron, OH
Jun 30 Uncommon Ground – Clark Location Chicago, IL
Jul 01 Cedar Valley House Concerts Cedar Falls, IA
Jul 02 Vox Concert Series @ Columbia Park Marshfield, WI
Jul 03 Aster Café Minneapolis, MN