Live Review: LISTEN: Mapei 'Don't Wait' (Kingdom Remix)

Rhode Island born/Stockholm based vocalist MAPEI, is starting to take over the pop world. But with the help of LA's KINGDOM, she now looks like taking over the club world as well, with the massive remix he's done of her lead single, 'Don't Wait'.

The original uses deep bass and stripped back/yet tribal percussion, as well as some oriental-styled acoustic guitar licks to allow the young songstress to explore the vast space with her huge vocals. With Kingdom at the helm, the track gives Mapei another chance to show off her insane vocal range, whilst also breathing in a new life into the instrumentation.

The guitar is sucked up into the abyss, and the robotic backing vocals are also thrown out - only leaving behind the remnants of the tribal percussion and Mapei's yearning vocals. By doing this, the Night Slugs producer is allowed to play around with even more space than the original. He fills the gaps with brief and interspersed synth blasts, and smooth melodies - and gives the vocal range a more pivotal role as the centre of attention.

It's hard to step up from the original, since it's one of the strongest pop releases of 2013. But Kingdom has managed to create an emotionally charged club track, whilst keeping it relaxed and melancholic. It's the smoothest thing you'll hear all week.

'Don't Wait' is out now via Downtown Records.

Words by Tom Hutchins

LISTEN TO MORE NEW MUSIC HERE

SEE ALSO:

LISTEN: STORM QUEEN ‘LOOK RIGHT THROUGH’ (LIL SILVA REMIX)

LISTEN: BANKS ‘THIS IS WHAT IT FEELS LIKE’ (AKOUO REWORK)