Kite – Kite On Ice

Kite have performed with the Royal Opera. They’ve played Way Out West. Kite On Ice is still somehow grander than either. The ambition that Kite has for elaborate live shows cannot be understated and definitely cannot be missed.

The concept is exactly what it sounds like: a live performance staged on an ice rink in Stockholm, with ice skaters, long-time collaborators, and a production scale that two people have no business pulling off. Yet, they pulled it off.

Henric de la Cour, Anna von Hausswolff, and Nina Persson all appear. Their presence feels earned rather than decorative. In particular, Anna’s presence in “Losing” is absolutely unforgettable. As I type that, I feel bad for not mentioning just how essential Henric is in the same song. All around, every performer across this show and album is brilliant. This is a record about occasion and it understands what that means.

The highlights are numerous. “Losing,” “Remember Me,” and “Bocelli” are personal favorites, even though they are ballads or leaning towards ballads. “Dance Again” and “Jonny Boy” deliver as classics tend to. The sequencing gives the record a shape that justifies the vinyl format.

One exception: “Panic Music” suffers from audio that doesn’t capture what the studio recording demands. It’s a small shame, as it is a personal favorite of mine. With that said, it’s a production problem, not a performance problem, and it’s the only moment where the format works against the material.

Label: YEAR0001 Released: November 21, 2025

Favorite tracks: Losing, Remember Me, Bocelli, Dance Again.