Album Review: How You Love Is How You Die by Cate Kileva
Album Review: How You Love Is How You Die by Cate Kileva
Written By: Dan Eachus
Cate Kileva’s debut solo album, How You Love Is How You Die, is a hauntingly beautiful odyssey into the realm of ambient indie, enriched by gothic and dream pop undertones. Released exclusively on Bandcamp before its wider release, the album stands as a testament to artistic independence and unfiltered self-expression. Mixed by Stuart Stuart (The Veronicas), Simon Cohen (Jessica Mauboy, Justin Bieber), and mastered by Ben Feggans (Mallrat, Josh Pyke), Kileva’s self-produced work emerges as both deeply personal and technically polished.
Breaking Free from Band Dynamics
Kileva’s departure from collaborative band settings to venture into solo artistry has clearly been transformative. Her reflections on breaking away from the “boy’s club” music scene resonate strongly throughout the album. She has described the creation of this project as a liberating experience, allowing her to craft an uncompromised vision. That authenticity is palpable in every track, with each song feeling like a raw, emotional expression untainted by outside influence.
A Journey in Sound and Emotion
The album’s nine tracks weave together to form a cohesive narrative, blending ethereal vocals, atmospheric instrumentals, and intricate production. Drawing comparisons to icons like Enya and Sarah Brightman, Kileva’s sound is undeniably otherworldly, yet uniquely her own. There is a sense of intimacy that permeates the record, as though the listener is being invited into Kileva’s private world of reflection and introspection.
1. A Burning Flame
The album opens with “A Burning Flame,” an evocative track that sets the tone for the journey ahead. Layers of airy synths and reverb-drenched vocals create a sense of urgency and longing. The song’s title metaphorically captures the duality of love—its ability to ignite passion and consume simultaneously.
2. A Melancholy
True to its name, “A Melancholy” is a poignant exploration of sorrow. The minimalist piano arrangement, combined with subtle electronic textures, provides a stark backdrop for Kileva’s haunting voice. Her lyrics are poetic yet understated, leaving much to the listener’s interpretation.
3. Bitten
“Bitten” shifts the mood slightly, introducing darker, almost predatory tones. The brooding bassline and fragmented beats echo themes of betrayal and vulnerability. There’s a gothic allure to this track that distinguishes it as one of the album’s more dramatic offerings.
4. Breathe You Out
With “Breathe You Out,” Kileva takes the listener through the cathartic process of letting go. This track leans heavily into dream pop aesthetics, with shimmering guitar lines and lush vocal harmonies. The chorus, layered with ghostly echoes, is particularly striking.
5. Gave You My Heart
Midway through the album, “Gave You My Heart” feels like the emotional centerpiece. The track’s orchestral elements and swelling crescendos are reminiscent of Sarah Brightman’s grandiose style. Kileva’s vocal delivery here is both fragile and powerful, embodying the vulnerability of love given freely.
6. How You Love
The titular track, “How You Love,” encapsulates the album’s themes of connection and loss. Its hypnotic rhythm and ethereal vocal layers create a meditative atmosphere. Kileva’s repetition of the phrase “how you love is how you die” feels like a mantra, driving home the album’s central message about the transformative power of love.
7. Say You Are
“Say You Are” introduces a slightly brighter tone, though it remains grounded in the album’s introspective mood. The interplay of chiming synths and soft percussion gives the track an almost celestial quality, evoking images of starlit skies and quiet revelations.
8. The Fool
One of the more experimental tracks, “The Fool” delves into dissonance and layered complexity. The song’s fragmented structure mirrors the chaotic nature of heartbreak and self-doubt. Kileva’s voice, at times distorted and distant, enhances the sense of fragmentation.
9. The World Without You
The album closes with “The World Without You,” a somber yet hopeful reflection on moving forward. The track’s ambient soundscape and delicate melodies leave a lingering sense of bittersweet closure. It’s a fitting end to an album that navigates the complexities of love and loss.
Production and Collaboration
The production quality of How You Love Is How You Die is exceptional, thanks in part to the contributions of Stuart Stuart, Simon Cohen, and Ben Feggans. Their expertise ensures that Kileva’s ethereal vision is fully realized, with each track sounding lush and immersive. The mixing and mastering highlight the intricate layers of sound without overshadowing Kileva’s emotive vocals.
Final Thoughts
Cate Kileva’s How You Love Is How You Die is a masterful debut that establishes her as a formidable force in the ambient indie and dream pop landscape. The album’s gothic aesthetic and deeply personal themes create an emotional resonance that is both timeless and contemporary. Kileva’s willingness to embrace vulnerability and reject convention results in a record that feels both liberating and transformative.
This is an album to be experienced in its entirety, preferably in solitude, where its intricate soundscapes and emotional depth can be fully appreciated. For fans of artists like Enya, Sarah Brightman, or anyone seeking a contemplative and immersive musical journey, How You Love Is How You Die is not to be missed.
