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Photo by by Akram Shah

Indie-pop duo Cafuné’s new album Bite Reality is a poignant reflection on the imperfections of life. Singer-songwriter Sedona Schat and producer Noah Yoo met while studying at the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at New York University, and Cafuné was formed in 2014. Their 2019 hit single “Tek It,” now with over 670 million streams on Spotify, catapulted them into the public eye; Bite Reality takes all the elements that fans love from “Tek It” and elevates Cafuné’s sound into their most mature, cohesive project yet. 

Cafuné released four singles leading up to the release of Bite Reality. In the lead single, “e-Asphyxiation,” Schat delves into the stifling nature of social media, singing: “Why do I have to prove that I am alive online? / I’m tied down too tight by all these / Phone screen obligations, e-asphyxiation.” The track “Temporary Lover,” which features New Jersey-based artist Riovaz, sees the two singers lean into the ups and downs of a situationship, using distorted vocal harmonies and ad-libs to encapsulate the confusion and chaos of a non-committal relationship. “Attack + Release” discusses the cyclical nature of life over a grungy guitar groove, and “In My Pocket” acts as a pick-me-up just over halfway through the album, with Schat expressing her loyalty to someone she feels very comfortable around. These four singles not only highlight Cafuné’s musical versatility but also lay the foundation for the general themes of the rest of the album. 

Bite Reality begins with the punchy track “The Moment,” which sees Cafuné exploring an edgier sound infused with rock influences. This guitar-driven style returns in later tracks like “Stupid Justice” and “Old Issues,” especially as Schat expresses her frustrations with dealing with unreliable friends as well as more personal internal

battles. Other songs such as “In My Pocket” and “Sore Spot” adopt laid-back, bedroom pop production that complements Schat’s conversational tone. Cafuné’s distinct and wistful melodies are recognizable from miles away, and Schat somehow makes every word feel intimate and confessional. 

Many topics that Schat and Yoo cover in Bite Reality are instantly relatable. It was refreshing to hear an album that delves into so many topics about internal struggles; issues such as apologizing for your mistakes within a friendship, cutting off unreliable people in your life, and actively fighting to prove your worth in a world that renders you “not enough” aren’t discussed nearly enough in mainstream music. Cafuné’s delivery is impeccable on the lyrical and musical fronts, providing the perfect balance of melodic warmth and introspective nostalgia. 

Bite Reality isn’t just Cafuné’s best work yet–it’s also their most memorable. Each and every track brings something to the table, and as the album unfolds, so does a fuller picture of Cafune’s identity, both as a duo and as individual band members. This project showcases two musicians who have a complete understanding of their sound and their message, and their execution when creating Bite Reality was nothing short of excellent. Be sure to look out for them as Cafuné embarks on their headline North America tour next week!