Thinking Out Loud

The Kickdrums are a one-man deal and Alex Fitts is the man behind the music. He got his start in Cleveland producing tracks for local rappers, then moved up to the big leagues to work with MGK, Kanye, and Kid Cudi, among others. On his own he makes music that's barely informed by hip-hop at all, instead sounding a bit like a more serious, slicker Beck, a heavier take on emo pop, or even in a few spots like a tougher, more punk-than-pop Owl City. On his debut album, Thinking Out Loud, Fitts surrounds his yearning everyman vocals with perfectly placed banks of keyboards, punchy beats, and layers of guitar to get a sound that's technically very good. As for the songs, there are quite a few that have strong hooks; some are even sharp enough to get beneath the skin. The moody "Can't Hide Love" has a really interesting breakdown and a soaring chorus, "I Know"'s stuttering beats and blues-rock riffing help it stand out from the rest of the album, and "Fake Guns" has some nice internal drive and a fun singalong chorus. Thinking Out Loud ends up a somewhat promising debut by a producer who knows how to make good-sounding records. ~ Tim Sendra