“Break My Baby” and “I Want More” by Kaleo – Song Features

Kaleo visited The Independent in San Francisco

Special thanks to Chris Adams for originally alerting us to these Kaleo releases.

     Our favorite band from Mosfellsbær released their first songs since 2016. Kaleo was formed in Iceland in 2012. They experienced a worldwide explosion with the release of the album “A/B” in 2016. The follow-up album will arrive later in 2020, but lead singles “Break My Baby” and “I Want More” are available now.

     The members of Kaleo are JJ Julius Son (frontman, songwriter, vocals, guitar), David Antonsson (drums, vocals), Daniel Kristjansson (bass), and Rubin Pollock (lead guitar). 

     “Break My Baby” has the Bluesy guitar and Soulful vocals of Kaleo’s most commercially successful song, “Way Down We Go.” It is another demonstration of the vocal range and power of JJ Julius Son. He is equally comfortable when he visits the falsetto register as when he resides in a deeper, more resonant range.

      “I Want More” is recommended for fans who particularly enjoy the 2016 release “I Can’t Go On Without You,” which also includes whistling and “orchestral” instruments. Still, “I Want More” steps up the orchestration, with its strings (violins, a cello…) and horns (French horn, trombone, saxophone…). We particularly enjoy the flute that accompanies the second occurrence of whistling (just before the two-minute mark). Moreover, “I Want More" is more dynamic in its use of energy and instrumental ebbs and flows.

Lyrics of “Break My Baby” by Kaleo

Sun is down on east side

While we all turn a blind eye

You know I've got your back

But would you ever do that for me?

For me? For me? For me.

Billy boy, he's gifted

You know you can't deny it

Don't leave us empty handed

'Cause you know we don't deserve that from you

From you, from you, from you

I want to break my baby

You know she loves to fake it

I want to break my baby, yeah

Hold her down

Bring her down now

Oh now

They'll take you in and then spit you out

You're only worth how much you sell

Yeah now

You've come too far, we both agree

Just give the people what they need

Well, well

Will you turn away

Or will you take my place?

Does it start to show

Now the pressure’s on?

Will they call my name

When it all goes up in flames?

Oh, will you be by my side?

I want to break my baby

You know she loves to fake it

I want to break my baby

Yeah now

Oh, hold her down

Oh, break it down now

Oh, break down

Woah, hold my love

(Hold my love)

Hold my love

(Hold my love)

Hold my love

(Hold my love)

Woah, yeah, yeah

(Hold my love)

Break my baby

(Break my baby)

Break my baby

(Break my baby)

Break my baby

(Break my baby)

Break my baby

(Break my baby)

You know she loves to fake it

Break my baby

Lyrics of “I Want More” by Kaleo

[Whistle]

Home grounds

Feels like the weight has been lifted away

But if she leaves me there

I won't run

Please pass it on

Carry me down

All you need to know is I want more, more

Looking for more

I want more, more

'Cause I want more

So light

Hold back the night

Wait 'til it's right

But then you fold your hand into mine

Watch as the waves

Fall back into place

So don't you leave me there wanting more

More, like before, more

I want more, more

'Cause I want more

Woooooo

[Whistle]

Turn back

Leave all you had

Forgive, I'll forget

'Cause what we need is what we once had

Time won't stand still

Just say you will

'Cause I need you there and now

If you leap, I'll come falling too

Running deep 'til that river’s through

I don't mind what you have to do

'Cause I won't think less, less of you

Yes, I want more, more

Looking for more

I want more, more

'Cause I want more

Old grounds

Feels like the weight has been lifted away

So don't you leave me there wanting more