Stop Sometime

Kaki King

With three projects released this year, Kaki King has had a fairly busy 2025. Two of which, SEI and Tutto Passa, are highly collaborative works that don't necessarily fit into the solo, classical guitar category that she's typically known for. Call me simple, but it was the back-to-basics Stop Sometime EP that I was most interested in. The only odd thing about this project is that it isn't released on King's own label, but rather in partnership with G2 Records; which after some cursory research sounds like a label more interested in SEO and marketing study fodder instead of promoting exemplary music, but I digress. The four tracks contained on this EP aren't the flashiest in terms of technique; avoiding the two-handed tapping and percussive strikes that landed her a spot on Rolling Stone's "Guitar Gods" list. However, the compositions are still world class, and each one has its own unique character.

Downstairs and path 555 are both very patient, sparse, and melodic works. Although, the former has a great deal of warmth thanks in part to very rich, deep bass notes. By comparison, path 555 is emotionally very cold and despondent. Like the recent Mason Lindahl project, both of these tracks are submerged in cavernous reverb for which the listener is placed at the sound's origin. King uses her signature passerelle bridge to transform her guitar into a plucky, Asian-inspired, subtly microtonal instrument on Playing the Vein. The result is something I imagine would be used to accompany a ritualistic battle dance. The final track, Wife and Child, is more suspenseful with its rapid chord changes and drier presentation. I really like the conclusion to this track as well with the jazzier chord voicings and the gradually easing tempo that comes to a soothing resolution.

For those hoping to hear more traditional performances from King after a string of more experimental releases, Stop Sometime should satisfy that craving. Sure, it's light on the senses making it perfect for passive, background listening. But King's playing and writing is still exceptional; worth giving it your complete attention. Hopefully, King's recent burst of creativity can translate into a new full-length project of this kind as I really enjoyed this short EP.