One listen and this one was good for me because I paid a bit more attention to the song than I usually would. I mean, I always do with this series of writings, but here it was quite helpful.

I’m kind of familiar with the song. Heard it used in a video after I acquired the song and album it’s from and wondered what it was, then wondered why the song didn’t sound like it did in the video, or if I’d misheard it or something. It was the same song, but I wasn’t hearing it properly. Tried listening a few times, didn’t hit. Eventually wanted to write about it, got around to doing that today and heard it differently again. Got more from the percussion and what it was doing, and how the elements all fit together and how they worked as a whole. I like the song and I like what I wrote. Not sure if I’ll spin it again for a while, but at the very least I appreciate what it’s doing, because I think what it’s doing is quite interesting.

Underworld’s “Kittens” is from Beaucoup Fish.

I hope you enjoy.

—

A sudden strike and rip, and another strike, and another, and then the beat kicks in properly and it’s intense. It’s pumping, and all there is is just the beat. It has a passion, and perhaps a sense of dance in it. Not rave, mind you, but dancing. Vigorous dancing. Of movement, of motion, and bits and pieces come in here and there and build on this.

That rip appears here and there too, and things keep going and the beat shifts a little. It doesn’t feel more intense or vigorous. And it mostly stops, leaving a pitter patter behind. It moves slightly, and something emerges from it. An electronic bass comes forward, playing simple and effective, and the sounds grow, then all pull away.

The main beat returns, as do the new sounds, and the combination feels sweaty. It feels heavy and sweaty, and festive in a sense. Something new comes forward, thin and unlimited, and it rises and falls, and frays whilst remaining completely solid. Sleek and continuous. Smooth, refined, messy and refined.

The beat drops out and almost feels like it sends waves through the bass, and the bass settles and disappears, and this is now a bright space. Bright, pausing for breath, building anticipation without providing a build. Not an obvious one, anyway. And it continues. This unlimited sound continues and seems to be vibrating rather than fraying. It shakes off images of what it was, and it rises and falls in seemingly rapid movement, though maybe it doesn’t at all. The beat starts returning, and an obvious build is here, but it doesn’t drag out and soon the main beat is back in full, and everything is driven. Everything is pushing onward, and it just feels so much like celebration. Blissful.

Eventually things come to a rest, and after a final percussive strike the song ends.