Clams Casino And Kelela Make A Great Pair On "A Breath Away"
Clams Casino has been steadily dropping songs from his forthcoming debut album 32 Levels, and has now released another one — "A Breath Away."
The track, which features R&B songstress Kelela, showcases Clams' knack for blending experimental sounds with a pop sensibility. "A Breath Away" builds with bubbly, moody synths that rise underneath a frustrated Kelela, as she questions a lover's dissatisfaction with their relationship. "Why are you complaining / Keep making a fuss / Like I said, it's built on broken trust and lies," the singer croons over Clams' minimalist production.
It's detached, melancholy, sparse — then, hopeful. "We are / A breath away from heaven / If we just face this together / We could drift away in the same boat / Chase the light in the rainbow / Hit 'em like a tornado," declares Kelela.
The production comes alive: lively percussion creates an upbeat groove that compliments Kelela's peace offering. Just as close as they are to dissolution they are to unification, the tipping point at which both parties either go all in or out. "We are so close to heaven," Kelela offers one last time before the song goes to silence. It's a cliffhanger that's all too relatable, the quiet that comes with waiting for a response that feels like forever.
Prior to "A Breath Away" Clams released "All Nite," which features Long Beach rapper Vince Staples; and "Witness," which features the one and only Lil B. Hopefully the versatility the New Jersey producer has shown through these three releases, will resonate throughout all of 32 Levels. After hearing his beats accompany everybody from A$AP Rocky and Danny Brown to FKA Twigs and Sia, it'll be nice to hear even more new material from Clams. The 12 track project drops on July 15 and will also include guest appearances from Mikky Ekko, Samuel T. Herring (Future Islands), Joe Newman (Alt-J) and others.
