Swedish Duo I Am Karate Release 'Expectations' Lyric Video

It’s been a long time since we’ve heard from Swedish duo I Am Karate, who have recently surprised us with “Expectations,” an interesting Pop track with unusually experimental production fusing Acoustic Pop with some 80’s-esque keyboards, specifically showcased in the verses, such as that Yamaha “Soundtrack” synth we haven’t heard since Janet Jackson’s “Let’s Wait Awhile,” and a mid-tempo, slightly Bongo Drum-sounding beat reminiscent of Madonna’s “I’ll Remember.” Then when we least expect it, the Chorus hits us with 12-string acoustic guitars and banjos, over a Max Martin & Shellbank-esque, Country and Dance Pop production, in the vein of Adele’s “Send My Love (To Your New Lover).” The keyboard sounds that throws us back to Major Lazor’s “Leon On,” ensures that “Expectations” will be an Indie “summer” hit, while the duo let us into their world with personal lyrics like “I get so high on expectations, but you’re never there flying with me.”

Despite its’ glossy, uplifting sound, I Am Karate have joined the wave of singers out there, such as Kesha and Taylor Swift, in delivering that “Confessional Pop” which draws us in with so many unanswered questions like “who is the song about, is it an ex-boyfriend, a jealous, so-called bestie?” 

Lyrically, the duo are reaching out to someone who has let them down, while longing for them to be more positive and to join them for the ride, as they raise their hopes high in life. Vocally the duo could easily be sisters, for their tones are exactly the same, soft, cool and calm like the vocals of Haim, while the reverb and delay effects make the presence known in the chorus and then unexpectedly decrease in the song’s main hook. If Taylor Swift was to take her early Acoustic Pop sound in a more Tropical House direction, it would definitely sound a little something like this, and ROUGH is  expecting more “confessional” songs on an anticipated E.P or full-length album from the duo. “Expectations” is a short-but-sweet, catchy Pop-Rock song that demands airplay from mainstream radio, and ROUGH highly recommends that you stream it now.