If any up-and-coming pop artist has what it takes to become the voice of her generation, it is the self-taught Queens, NY-hailing luminary Lauren Kidd with her Conversations with Strangers EP.
The title track begins with a raw, bedroom indie pop prelude before blossoming into an infectious electro-pop earworm with a backbeat that rhythmically compels you to lean in and surrender to the tempo of the anthem. The transition is seamless, showcasing Kidd’s knack for blending intimate storytelling with a broader, more universal pop appeal.
The song’s upbeat tempo belies its deeper exploration of the risks we take in our interactions with strangers, trusting them with our most vulnerable selves. Kidd navigates this paradox with a deft touch, maintaining an energy reminiscent of a Taylor Swift hit, yet layered with a complexity that is uniquely her own.
Whether or not she intended the track to radically transform the way you perceive the danger-fraught trappings of romanticism, she achieved it. It is no surprise that so many pop fans are glued to her playlist staples.
With melodies that inch their way into your psyche and refuse to leave, her personality-infused harmonies and the clear songwriting stripes stretched through the progressions, Lauren Kidd is a triple threat in the music industry.
The Conversations with Strangers EP was officially released on February 23; stream the single on Spotify.
Review by Amelia Vandergast