Across 2021 and 2022, rising one-to-watch Johnny Kulo has been releasing a string of smooth singles that bridge between old-school soul and modern R&B. His latest release is ‘Loyal’, the 00s-dipped gem in which the Indian artist’s flawless vocal seductively croons. Never far from those neck-winding grooves, Kulo incorporates grooving bass alongside noodling guitars and a contemporary R&B backbeat.
“This was one of those songs that didn’t take a lot from me in the studio to cut out. Another day, August Ingram and I just hit the studio, listening to records and passing around instruments, riffing off – I came up with the little guitar loop, and started humming what ended up becoming the hook. I was just talking stupid, talking about tryna stay loyal but having too many distractions in my lifestyle. The whole song was written as I was recording it, and initially I intended to just record the first idea so I can go away to write something ‘substantial’. But then I decided, fuck it, this is what I’m going thru right now and it’s expressed exactly in that way. Not every verse needs to be premeditated, sometimes it sounds less clever the more it’s polished you know?”
Now residing in Berlin, Johnny Kulo is the son of a reverend, he was inevitably playing drums in church before he could form sentences, exploring several other instruments until eventually realizing his love for songwriting and production. He uses his sultry-smooth voice to tell personal and perceived stories of love, heartbreak and unsettled identity.
‘Loyal’ will features on Johnny Kulo’s Bloom EP. Connect with him on: Instagram | Twitter
