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Image via SoundCloud
When I first stumbled upon Kwabs a few years ago on YouTube, the two videos that stood out to me (and had the most views) were his breathtaking cover of James Blake’s “The Wilhelm Scream” and his brilliant original song “Layback.” Fast forward three years later, Kwabs now has more than a handful of songs that can easily take anyone’s breath away. Days ahead of his debut album Love + War’s release on September 11, Kwabs returns back to where it all started and gives one of his older songs a refreshing update.
Kwabs told The Line of Best Fit that “Layback” is one of the first songs he ever wrote. The original was a raw, stripped down version that showcased the full range of Kwabs’ vocal talent. For this new update, Dave Okumu provides a smooth production that transforms the song into something that feels entirely new. The beat feels light and airy, making it sound quite different from the dramatically beautiful first version. Yet, even with this new, groovier rhythm, Kwabs vocals continues to be main centerpiece without ever losing focus.
Listen to the update version of “Layback” below.
Take a look at the original version here.
