Baio @ King Tuts, 23 February

Live Review by Claire Francis | 07 Mar 2016

Chris Baio is one rather clever little cookie. On top of a Columbia University degree in Russian and mathematics and comprising one third of Ivy League afro-punk pop progenitors Vampire Weekend, the New York state native is now flexing his myriad talents via Baio, his nascent solo moniker. 

As Vampire Weekend's ebullient bass player, it's little surprise that Baio's solo career is an excursion in rhythm. Last year's debut release The Names (titled in reference to a Don Delilio novel because you know, Columbia) was a critically-well-received-across-the-board collection of electronica flirting with house, whiffs of dubstep and synth pop. An unusual billing for a mid-week King Tut's slot, perhaps, but nevertheless by virtue of both reputation and the promise of his new record, our leading man has attracted a substantial Tuesday night crowd.

The tunes are at once both highly strung, in a typical Vampire Weekend vein, yet stratified and complex, eschewing hooks in some places in favour of a more meandering, experimental alignments. Sister Of Pearl tranlates as perhaps the most Vampire-ish offering, as a roomful of heads bob in unision to the song's wiggly bass and our frontman glides smoothly through a catchy verse-chorus-verse construction, whilst Needs is Baio at his more intellectual and introspective (I forgot my needs, he intones, over shimmering Hot Chip-inspired keys).

The singer-songwriter's trademark infectious beats underscore the performance, but the rambling melodic narratives in some of his more avant garde pieces seem to momentarily disconcert an audience intent on participating, but not exactly sure where they fit in. Perhaps a touch opaque for some listeners, as Vampire Weekend's indeterminate hiatus continues, Baio's introspective solo material will nonetheless certainly satisfy the group's faithful followers.

http://baiobaio.com