Kup Romantic - Just Khai

Just Khai offers a peek into his state of mind as he journals his agitated relationship with romanticism. Kup Romantic lives up to its title - it plays like a long, drunk, but coherent text message because of Khai’s refreshing vulnerability and startling candor. Khai waivers seamlessly between hopeless uncertainty and overwhelming confidence. The lyrics are honest and easily felt by the listener as he leans into every emotion. 

The sound of the project reflects its volatile emotions. At times, Khai is complemented by autotune as he croons and delivers somber but passionate hooks and verses. Other times, he finds a more deliberate pocket and articulates a more measured version of his thoughts. The production perfectly supports each variant of Khai’s vocals. The beats resemble a modern west coast style, but Khai’s southern dialect and lingo blend with the music in a unique and refreshing way. 

Creating a cohesive tracklist is a lost art. Just Khai executes this perfectly with Kup Romantic. The first few songs feel like a genuine subtle introduction into his journal before he is accompanied by features on the next four tracks. The features on the project execute their verses - conforming to the theme of the album without overpowering its laid back energy. The album closes with arguably the most honest songs, signaling that Khai gets more comfortable and raw as the album progresses. 

Kup Romantic is the ideal tape to listen to after a late night. It encapsulates the emotions that we all feel but struggle to acknowledge while still carrying enough bravado and charisma to empower the listener. My favorite songs from this tape are Sliding featuring FourZeke and Life of Truth. Give it a listen.