'Intensity' has always been something associated with Kitt Philippa's music, and appropriately enough, 'Fahrenheit' ups the ante, creating a claustrophobic ambience where the sweltering heat of a relationship reaches fever point.
Full of evocations of exasperation, Philippa seems tormented, caught between acceptance, recrimination, and forgiveness. A cavernous reverb gives this drama an epic stage to unfold upon, an ironic counterpoint to the close-up and personal nature of the lyrics. "Can't forget about her, forgive her, Fahrenheit" they sing, as an insistent electric piano line endlessly repeats, a half-melody that is set defiantly apart from the rest of the song.
For all the emotional theatrics on display, the most effective thing about the song is the spartan nature of it all. Some jazzy keyboards introduce us, a rhythmic pulse anchors it all, and that's pretty much it. The song hangs on that keyboard riff in the middle, before repeating. There's no real sense of overt 'dynamics', and it all comes down to that vocal hook in the chorus. There's not much to this song, but it's all down to how it's said.
If Kitt Philippa were to ditch the music entirely, and just present us with those vocal hooks, one suspects that the level of intensity wouldn't diminish at all.
You can hear Kitt Philippa in session with Across the Line on 7th September but for now listen to the new single below:
