Exclusive Track Premiere: ‘The Nile,’ Kisses

For the first time, Los Angeles-based duo Kisses has produced a record with full live instrumentation. Zinzi Edmundson and Jesse Kivel’s Rest in Paradise (out October 9) is infused with upbeat disco elements and striking guitar chords, differing from  synths and computer-based production on previous albums. Here we’re pleased to premiere “The Nile,” the pair’s favorite song from the album.

“If I had to use two words to describe the inspiration behind this song, they would be ‘Rod Stewart,'” Kivel explains. “I got deep into ‘Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?’ and could not get over how much the production on that song mirrored some of my favorite more obscure disco favorites from the ’70s…Both me and Zinzi are really interested in pop artists who ‘went disco’—Paul McCartney, The Stones, Blondie, Rod Stewart, the list goes on. Putting these two worlds together was something we felt destined to do.”

This inspiration comes through loud and clear, as the track begs the listener to stand up and move—or at the very least, nod along. Edmundson sings Kivel’s lyrics (“And you baby / You’re the best / Please lady / You’re the best”), which fade in and out, coming in second to the saxophone, keys, bass, and drums’ rhythmic patterns.

Kivel and Edmundson work together in all aspects of life—since their last release, they were married and earlier this summer had their first baby. For Rest in Paradise, which marks the duo’s third album, Kisses brought in collaborators, such as musicians from Midnight Magic.

“Although the songs were extensively demoed before we got into the studio, there was an openness and experimental approach—a kind of looseness—that hadn’t been part of our production mentality previously,” Kivel continues. “Each time we packed up and left the studio, we were excited and refreshed by the experience.”

REST IN PARADISE WILL BE RELEASED OCTOBER 9 VIA HIT CITY U.S.A. FOR MORE ON KISSES, VISIT THE DUO’S FACEBOOK.