Browsing Tag

Pop Singer Songwriter

Effy Wang Interview: Harmonising Cultures and Beats in Her Sonic Mosaic

Posted on 10 November 2024

In this exclusive interview, Effy Wang explores her eclectic musical background and the creative processes behind her debut single, “Da Di Da La.” Born in China and now blossoming on the US music scene, Effy embodies a fusion of cultural sounds—from the classical strains of Chinese opera to the dynamic beats of modern hip-hop and bass house. This conversation unveils her journey from a childhood filled with diverse musical influences to her current exploration of genre-blending compositions. Read on to discover how Effy Wang is crafting a sound that’s as globally inspired as it is deeply personal.

Effy Wang, welcome to A&R Factory! Thanks for sitting down with us following the launch of your debut single, Da Di Da La. Before we get stuck into your music, we would love to know your artistic origin story and how your relationship with music has evolved over the years.

Thanks for having me! It’s my great pleasure to have this conversation with you amazing people!  

I was born in China and moved to the US in my early 20s. I’ve been singing and performing on stage since I was a little kid. And I started to learn piano in middle school and later on picked up guitar and other instruments like drum sets and CDJs. About the music influence, I would say my family’s music choice inspired me a lot when I was younger. My family loves listening to different types of music- my grandpa is a big fan of Chinese opera, my mom loves Cantopop from the 1980s, and my dad loves songs from Billboard and Oscar movies. So, I grew up with different influences that shaped the way I compose. I listened to a lot of Mandopop and Cantopop when I was a kid, then I fell in love with rock music, especially punk rock, when I was a teenager, and after I went to college, I started listening to hip-hop, R&B, EDM. I also experience writing songs in different genres as well and sometimes try to combine them. And when it comes to composing, I actually don’t care about genres that much and just let the idea flow and blend these different influences into the songs naturally. And yeah, that’s basically my music evolution story.

What’s the story behind the single?

So I wrote this song back in December 2023. I was going through a breakup and also facing graduation from college and was planning to move to a different city. There were a lot of changes that happened in my life back then, and I was feeling scared and lost. And one day, when I was scrolling through some videos on my phone, I noticed one video talking about how to break free and embrace the uncertainties of your life. And it reminded me of my relationship and made me start thinking. I felt I was the type of person that most of the time wouldn’t want to let things flow because of the deep insecurity in my heart. So is my relationship. It’s like the saying “The tighter you hold onto them, the more they want to slip away.” Which inspired the lyrics of my single “Light, shadows, open your heart to me. Past, future, wherever you go, be free”

We love how the etherealism in your vocal lines juxtaposes the solid backbeat, where did you find the influence for your unique aural identity?

Thank you! I honestly didn’t expect this song to sound like this at all. I would say because my singing style is kinda influenced by singers like Mariah Carey, Ariana Grande, Ellie Goulding. But on the other hand, I listen to a lot of deep house, bass house, dubstep, trap, and hip-hop and I find myself always attracted by songs with sick beats, especially the heavy bass and kicks. So when I created this song, I actually created the beats of the song first, and then came up with the melody and lyrics. And after I recorded myself singing, the contradiction between the vocal lines and backbeat surprised me and I like it.

What is the most gratifying part of the songwriting process?

I think the most gratifying part was when I tried to write the bass part of this song. It was like a brilliant idea hit me out of nowhere that I could write a bassline that sounds like I was using the sidechain effect with the drum kit, but it’s not. Then I started playing notes on my keyboard while playing the drum part I had already made, and then the bassline that we hear in the song right now came out and made me feel so excited, and I started dancing to the beats I made and humming with the melody with some random words. And I felt good about the melody, too. It all just came together so naturally and made me so grateful and unexpected.

When are you most inspired to write? 

I wouldn’t say there’s a specific time during the day that I feel most inspired to write. It kinda changes every day up to my mood and my feelings. I’m not the type of person who would force myself to create if I don’t really want to. I used to be more disciplined with the songwriting process, but then I realized most of the time I don’t like the stuff I write when I don’t really want to create. So I just stopped doing that. I also have a habit that I love to put some ideas in my voice memo. My voice memo is full of different kinds of song ideas or melodies, and most of them just came out when I was walking or doing something else. And when I’m in the mood to create, I’ll just play the ideas I recorded in the voice memo and start to organize my thoughts. So yeah, when I’m most inspired to write, it depends.

What’s the best piece of advice another musician ever gave you?

Be a nice person. Be nice to the people you work with, be nice to the other musicians you collaborate with, be nice to your fans. I used to ask this question to one of my mentors back in college. She’s a singer-songwriter, has been in the music industry for many years and collaborated with many great musicians we could call names. And she told me, “There are so many talented people in this world. So many musicians. But most of them didn’t make it in this industry. Because they see their talent as a gift and they treat others so badly. So you gotta respect whoever you work with, respect the people who support you and show you love, and not see everything as granted.” I think that’s the best piece of advice I’ve ever had from another musician. 

What has been the most affirming and standout moment in your career so far? 

I think the most affirming and standout moment to me is not about what rewards I got. It’s the moment I realize if I put my heart into something, I can make things happen. I remember back in college, there was a time when I was obsessed with hip-hop music, and I really admired some rappers and lyricists who could just express themselves so smoothly and flawlessly. And English is like a second language to me, and I felt so hard to express myself, not even mention rhyme. So I joined a hip-hop ensemble in my college, and on the first day in that class, the instructor who is a great hip-hop DJ and rapper from New York, asked me to freestyle, and I freaked out. And then he told us, the group of people in his class, that after two months, there would be a hip-hop showcase, and we all gonna go on stage to perform. And after that, I just started listening to a lot of hip-hop songs, I practice and practice rapping and also sometimes freestyle with my own words. It’s like the first time I pushed myself out of my comfort zone music-wise and tried to learn a whole new skill in such a short period. And after two months, our music group went on the stage. I’m one of the singers and rappers of that group. We performed eight songs and many rappers and hip-hop producers were in the audience looking at us. And I’ll always remember the screaming and shocking reactions people gave me and my group because I don’t look like a rapper to them at all lol. Even though that show was a part of my college but after that I felt so different on stage when I performed and I will always remember that night because it brought me great courage and faith.

What can your fans expect from an Effy Wang live show? 

When people come to my show, I want them to feel something when they leave, whether it’s because of some simple things like the light and ambiance, or because one song hits their feelings and makes them feel so related. I always believe music is a way people connect with each other, and that’s always what I try to do when I put on my live show, I want to feel these connections with my audience. So when my fans come to my show, they can expect a musical, spiritual journey and some special memories they can carry on after.

Where do you hope your music will take you?

I hope my music can take me to see the bigger world and help me build connections with others I meet on this journey. I always dreamed that one day, I could live like these big DJs to travel around the world, doing tours, playing their originals and remixes, and bringing this amazing energy to people they probably would never have met before. It’s all about connections and energies, and we all need each other. So I hope my music can take me on this journey and leave some good memories and experiences for others in this world.

–
Stream Effy Wang’s debut single on Spotify now.

Follow the artist on Instagram and TikTok.

Interview by Amelia Vandergast

Effy Wang: Bridging Dreamscapes and Beats in ‘Da Di Da La’

Posted on 5 November 2024

In her debut single, Da Di Da La, the up-and-coming alt-pop siren Effy Wang juxtaposed the etherealism of dream pop with the rhythmic momentum of EDM by doctoring a pulse-pounding backbeat into the arcane atmosphere of the soul-driven production.

The rush of emotions that each progression manifests couldn’t be more visceral; the way the diaphanous elements intersect with the rhythmic intensity will undoubtedly leave plenty desperate to hear more from the icon in the making who is no stranger to beguiling audiences with her live performances. Now, she’s set to take over the airwaves with her effortlessly distinctive sonic signature, which is scarp enough to etch her name into the legacy of alt-electro pop.

Da Di Da La was officially released on October 21; stream the single on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Gemma Felicity – AM I TOXIC: A Kinetically Electric Alt-Pop Candid Confession

Posted on 28 October 2024

‘AM I TOXIC’ by Gemma Felicity proves that a good pop hit is so much more than a polished set of hooks, a honeyed set of pipes and a catchy chorus line; it’s a songwriter who knows exactly how to stretch your perceptions to let new resonance in through the use of confessional candour.

Felicity’s personal flaws are laid bare in the accountability-driven dance-pop anthem, but even the most scrupulous critic would struggle to find a flaw in the single itself. The perennial pop earworm transcends an auditory experience through the way it alters your emotional state with the euphoric energy in the high-octane, kinetically electric pulse of the track, which is all too easy to get addicted to.

The London-based alt-pop artist has been honing her eloquent craft since the age of 9; in 2024, it has all paid off with AM I TOXIC, which will feature on her first EP, Baggage, which explores how personal baggage can weigh heavy romantic relationships.

Having performed at iconic venues and been featured on BBC Introducing, Gemma’s presence is both resonant and transformative, continuing to mesmerise and energise audiences worldwide as she prepares for a performance at the Miss Planet International Beauty Pageant.

Stream AM I TOXIC on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Sigma Strikes with ‘You Left’: A Melodic Force of Dance-Pop

Posted on 24 October 2024

The Sigma’s new single, ‘You Left’, channels heartbreak into an energised dance-pop anthem with a sharp edge. It’s a track built to fill club spaces, with progressive rhythms that will sit comfortably alongside Avicii and David Guetta in any playlist. The melodic structure draws you in, while the undercurrent of emotional intensity amplifies the rhythmic magnetism.

Despite emerging from the underground, The Sigma’s production chops speak volumes about his potential; the track’s seamless synthesis of pulsating beats and pop-infused guitar elements echoes the finesse of Mark Ronson’s EDM pop style; every instrumental was interwoven to give listeners more than just a casual earworm; it’s a kinetic dancefloor hit that merges emotional weight with undeniable energy.

It is only a matter of time before The Sigma becomes a regular feature on the dance scene. Get him on your radar now.

Stream the iPhone-shot official music video for You Left by heading over to YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Unveiling Layers of Reflection: An Interview with Gemma Felicity on ‘AM I TOXIC’ and the ‘Baggage’ EP

Posted on 24 October 2024

In our conversation with Gemma Felicity, we sink into the introspective depths of her recent single ‘AM I TOXIC’ and the overarching themes within her emotionally charged EP ‘Baggage’. Gemma opens up about the process of creating music that not only reflects personal accountability but also challenges the listener to confront their own roles in relationships. With her raw and reflective approach, she reveals how personal experiences have fuelled her songwriting, transforming pain into powerful lyrical narratives. 

Welcome to A&R Factory, Gemma! Thanks for sitting down with us to discuss your latest single, ‘AM I TOXIC’, and the incredible work you’ve been doing with your EP ‘Baggage’. AM I TOXIC is such a powerfully candid tour de force which brings to light how accountability is such a scarcity in relationships and much of life. How did it feel to bring such an intense track to fruition?

Yes, it is so true that accountability can be so rare nowadays, in relationships and in life generally. Many people prefer to put the blame on others so that they do not have to look at themselves and take responsibility for their own behaviours and actions. I think I am quite an intense person and I think deeply about things, so I didn’t even realise it was an intense track. But thank you! And I feel proud to have brought this track into the world, as it has come from such a personal place.

You’ve mentioned that much of your songwriting is self-reflective, and this track certainly showcases that. What was it like to collaborate with Alex Rossiter and Louis Takooree for this single, and how did they help bring your vision to life?

Both Alex and Louis are always amazing to work with. They are both the complete opposite to the type of men that I wrote the song about. I came up with the idea of the song back in January 2022, just after I had been ghosted by a guy who had treated me like a piece of crap for months. I was really upset about this, and thinking to myself, wondering why it was that I always got treated this way. I started to really ask myself why I thought this might be. Did I not think that I was worthy of more than this? I started to put it into a song. I didn’t finish the song, but I just left what I had written on my phone in a voice note for months and months.

I was then lucky enough to meet Alex, my guitarist, in June 2022 of that year. He asked me in around September 2022, if I would like to work on some of my original songs with him. So, we spent a couple of days writing together in a park, taking the clips I had recorded on my phone and turning them into full songs. I was so happy that he was helping me to finally bring my song ideas to life, as it was what I had wanted to do for so long.

When it came to AM I TOXIC, I remember him saying “This is such a banger”, and we made a full demo of it together at his place. He told me he knew the perfect person to work on it in the studio with me. He then introduced me to Louis, and Louis made the songs really pop in the studio. He was just the perfect person to bring it all to life. I am so happy with how AM I TOXIC turned out in particular. It was such a beautiful process of turning the song into what it is today, and I have the boys to thank for that.

How did you approach translating such an introspective song into a visual format for the official music video? 

I worked on the music video with an amazing team called Grizzly Productions. We first brainstormed ideas together – I knew I wanted it to be quite different to any of my previous music videos. I wanted this one to be more performance-based and visually very exciting, rather than storyline-based (which is what my previous music videos were like). I think the music video does a great job of making an extremely introspective song also very exciting and fun.

What led you to centre your EP around the theme of emotional weight being carried into relationships, and how did your personal experiences shape the stories told in each track?

I guess it was just something I was going through and struggling with at the time. I think relationships are great teachers for us, and they can reflect back to us things we need to learn about ourselves. Through every relationship I had, I would realise and learn more about myself, and I would always observe what the experience I had attracted, was teaching me about myself and how I felt within myself, and I found this very interesting. I started seeing a therapist and we worked through some of these issues, and that is when I started writing lots of music about it. I guess all the self-reflection gave me a lot of songwriting content.

You recently headlined at The Troubadour for the second time. How does performing your songs live compare to the process of writing and recording them, especially with such emotionally charged material?

I won’t lie, I find singing my songs live very challenging because they are so vulnerable and personal. As someone who is fairly introverted, I would say, I find it pretty uncomfortable to be so open about myself in front of a huge room of people like that. The songs can often make me feel quite emotional too when I am singing them. But I have learnt how to try to connect to the emotions of the song, whilst still slightly separating myself from the emotional charge that the song has on me naturally.

When I was writing and recording these songs, I let myself be as emotional as I wished to be. But performing is a bit of a different process, as you don’t want to start crying in front of the audience really, so you have to learn how to feel the emotion of the song without getting overly emotional. I find this challenging because I am a very emotional person.

You have started paving the path to international stardom this year with performances in the US and India, what did you take away from these experiences?

Thank you so much for saying that. The performances I did this year in the US and India were so amazing for my confidence in terms of performing and getting out of my comfort zone. The songs we sang in the performances were much more upbeat and party vibes compared to the original songs that I usually sing. It was a completely new vibe for me, and an amazing experience. We also had to dance and truly perform them confidently to the audience, which really put me out of my comfort zone but definitely has helped me to grow. I think you can’t really grow without a certain level of discomfort.

Your lyrics often explore vulnerability and complex emotions. How important is it for you to write from a place of raw honesty, and do you ever feel exposed putting such personal themes into your music?

Yes, I find it extremely difficult and very exposing writing about such personal themes. It is challenging, to say the least, and often feels way too vulnerable. But I always remind myself that there is beauty in vulnerability and expressing the things you don’t find easy to express. As a songwriter, your words will resonate with other people, and you have the ability to really comfort people and make them realise that they aren’t alone in all of life’s complexities. I think there is beauty in music that is so raw and real. I don’t really like superficial surface level music unfortunately – I always tend to go in at the deep end. Sometimes I really wish I could write about superficial stuff, as I wonder if I might be happier if I were to be more of a happy-go-lucky person. I’m a deep thinker though through and through.

Stream AM I TOXIC on Spotify now, and follow Gemma on Instagram.

Interview by Amelia Vandergast

“Melancholy in Music: An Interview with Caitlin Lavagna on Her Latest Single ‘October’ and Beyond”

Posted on 23 October 2024

In our latest conversation, Caitlin Lavagna opens up about her musical endeavours and the emotional depths of her new single, ‘October’. Following the upbeat vibes of ‘Pretty Alright’, ‘October’ is an artfully sombre ballad, rooted in a deeply personal experience of sudden disconnection and the introspective aftermath. This interview explores Lavagna’s songwriting process, which she describes as inherently chaotic and spontaneous, her experiences navigating the challenges of being an independent artist, and her aspirations for the future in both music and acting. With each response, Lavagna shares insights into the therapeutic role music plays in her life and the honest, raw narrative she aims to convey through her songs.

Caitlin Lavagna, you made an enduring impression on us with your single, Pretty Alright, earlier this year. Your upcoming single, October, is a far melancholic cry from Pretty Alright; what inspired the single? 

‘October’ was inspired by an experience I went through this time last year when my career was bursting with excitement and opportunities were flowing. I was performing in a beautiful show I adored, making new friends, traveling to new places and I had someone special, who I felt really saw me, to share it all with. Then I was left completely and utterly ghosted, left behind and vulnerable.

I lost my sense of self, was in shock and couldn’t make sense of what was happening. By beginning to write my feelings down, I began tending to a year of heartbreak and that’s how the song started to form.

It feels like an incredibly vulnerable release; how did it feel to write and perform?

I think the more I let myself go, the deeper I dig emotionally and the more honest and raw I make my songs, the more I fear releasing them. With ‘October’ I really felt scared. It’s personal and touched on exactly what being ghosted felt like for me. I think it’s especially hard because I know people must feel the same things as me, but singing it can almost be more therapeutic for them to listen to than for me to keep re-visiting.

When you’re pausing time, putting lyrics and a melody to heartbreak and then having to consistently perform that heartbreak in front of live audiences, it’s genuinely difficult. As I have said before though, music is my therapy and writing about how I feel helps me process things, whether that’s at the time or on reflection.

What do you hope your listeners take away from the release? 

This is the first song I have given myself proper time and space to write. It follows a year of being ignored by someone who I believed loved me. I suppose releasing it now makes it a cathartic song, attempting to take back my favourite month, a time for me. I want to take the listener on a personal, raw and honest journey of grief and unexplained loss. Quite simply, a brutal end to a beautiful connection.

With your strong passion for lyrics and rhythm which is evident in your music, can you describe your songwriting process?

IT’S CHAOS HAHA!! I don’t think I have written a song in the same way, ever. I usually start humming a melody when driving long distances or in the shower. I voice record it when I get a chance and then eventually from free-writing or picking highlighted words or themes from lists or phrases I have documented, I will match them up and begin shaping the melodic idea into a rough structure with lyrics.

I pride myself on being able to collaborate with musician friends on songs I believe they can help shape or will understand and add to creatively and so much of my training through music has been through working with other people, it feels natural to do it that way. I also try not to put pressure on myself in terms of trying to keep a day free to write a song. I write when it comes and wherever it comes. Sometimes it’s sitting at a piano, sometimes I can be shopping or in the middle of a gym session. I will just pause and note down ideas as they come.

What are the main challenges you’ve faced releasing music as an independent artist? 

I think it’s an obvious answer but financially it is almost impossible to be your own PR, Manager, Social Media maker, reel editor, visual planner, music video director, writer, producer, singer, live artist etc. You give SO MUCH for SO LITTLE in return. I have found that to release a single, you HAVE to believe in it. You can’t really afford to release anything you don’t think will sell, which is a shame because not all songs should be made to be Tiktok, Radio and Gen Z friendly. I really didn’t want to cut ‘October’ down for a Radio Edit but I had to give it a fighting chance of stream figures and radio play. For me, the real song is the 5:50 version but at my level, I have to tick boxes to remain relevant and accepted on bigger levels that can propel my career.

As you continue to make a name for yourself both in acting and music, what are your main aspirations for the future? 

I just want to keep writing, releasing and aiming for bigger music venues to perform live with a bigger band. I would love to keep smashing the BBC Radio Wales Welsh A-List and hopefully manage to secure some funding to release my first ever EP. I want to collaborate more with other writers and singers and also keep travelling to new places to experience as much as I can when I don’t have huge commitments personally.

Beyond the release of October, what else does the future have in store for Caitlin Lavagna?

I have already started working on my first EP and want to challenge myself to release a body of work rather than focus all my efforts on singles moving forward. I can say that although there isn’t a release date in mind, I will be busy forming the title, visuals and most importantly tunes to release. I will probably arrange a big launch tour in four beautiful music venues in the Valleys, Cardiff, London and Gibraltar. All places that have formed me as a musician and person.

I also have been recast in ‘Housemates – UK Tour’ which starts rehearsing in January and tours through to April. Busy, but blessed to be thriving both musically and in the actor musicianship world. I’m very excited to get back on the drum kit working with the Sherman Theatre and Hijinx Theatre Company.

Stream October on all major platforms, including Spotify now.

Follow Caitlin Lavagna on Instagram and TikTok to stay up to date with all of her latest releases and news.

Interview by Amelia Vandergast

Sonia Stein became pop’s most scintillating conduit of soul with her single, Blooming Season

Posted on 14 October 2024

When she’s not flitting between Warsaw and London, the icon of soulful pop hooks, Sonia Stein, is honing her sonic signature, which scribes through nuances of RnB, electronica and pop while writing a legacy that the music industry would struggle to lose to history.

Her latest single and the title single for her upcoming LP, Blooming Season, sees her vocally find the middle ground between Swift and Lady Gaga as synth lines strobe beneath her arcane vocal timbre and the syncopated beats kick adrenaline into the mix which is wrapped in an aura of pure scintillation. Equally as affecting as the production by Duit, are the lyrical underpinnings, which explore the bliss of finally letting down your walls and letting love in without the fear of losing everything you’ve emotionally invested in.

My only complaint is that Sonia Stein isn’t sitting at the top of the Billboard charts after unleashing this earworm which even the most rhythmically steadfast will feel themselves melting into.

Sonia Stein’s single, Blooming Season, was officially released on October 8th; stream the single on Spotify.

Follow the artist on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with news of the upcoming Blooming Season Part 1 LP.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Tom Waits Meets Ricky Martin in THE Astrolabe’s pop mood elevator,  Lovers

Posted on 13 October 2024

THE Astrolabe became the superlative king of cosmic pop sex appeal with his latest single, Lovers. If you thought Ricky Martin’s Livin la vida loca was sonically seductive, brace yourself for the affectingly aphrodisiacal energy of Lovers, which alchemises Latino rhythms with Bowie-esque space dust and jazzy grooves, creating a genre-fluid tour de force that sweeps through the soul with maximum volition.

Following a prelude that nods to Kraftwerk, the Athens-hailing innovator’s vocals croon into the mix, allowing you to imagine how Waits’ discography would have unfolded if he was just as adept at wrapping his gruff timbres around pop hooks. In the choruses, the peerless singer-songwriter proves he’s equally comfortable in a more harmonic register as his vocal notes soar with the brass section.

We are officially obsessed with THE Astrolabe and his endlessly uplifting cultivated sound that goes beyond setting a tone; his ability to command your entire mood is second to none. For your own sake, get him on your radar.

Lovers started serenading the airwaves on October 3rd; get hot under the collar with it by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Red Lips and Chanel Armour: Ches Barrow’s “Parisian Chic” Unveils the Femme Fatale Mystique

Posted on 10 October 2024
Ches Barrow

More Parisian than wearing a red lip and Chanel No. 5, Ches Barrow’s latest single, Parisian Chic, reaches the pinnacle of suave sophistication. With lively piano melodies bubbling beneath Barrow’s demure harmonies, the cabaret pop hit encapsulates a femme fatale’s power and mystique with a striking style befitting the track title.

This single, which sees Barrow return with the Schimmel piano she has composed on since she was 8, exhibits her as an artist who is as style-conscious in fashion as she is in music. Known for her success in the fashion world, collaborating with the likes of Dior and Manolo Blahnik, Barrow fuses her aesthetic with her sonic identity; the results are nothing short of alchemic.

The melody, which remains poised before descending into chaotic beauty in the second verse, mirrors the emotional depth of her lyrics – where glamour masks a world of internal turmoil. Much like her previous hit, Wild, this single is a reflection of Barrow’s talent for capturing complex emotions and translating them into art that scratches far beyond the surface.

With her love of dark, introspective themes clashing against a backdrop of superficial perfection, Parisian Chic sees Barrow at her most raw and empowered. If any single can elevate her status in the alt-pop world, it’s this.

Parisian Chic was officially released on October 9th; stream the single on all major platforms, including SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Kimi Nickerson – Boundaries: The Ultimate Dark-Pop Anthem for Self-Reclamation

Posted on 26 September 2024
Kimi Nickerson

For anyone who has felt the desperation to shed the facades worn to appease others and unapologetically don their own unfeigned guise, Kimi Nickerson’s latest alt-pop tour de force is the ultimate anthem for self-reclamation.

Boundaries is an artfully moody electronic pop ballad that quickly breaks away from convention with its dark reverberant synth-driven melodies and bass-punched syncopated beats. As Nickerson layers her vocals to create a one-woman choir, the track takes on an arcane atmosphere that is guaranteed to spill from the soundwaves into your soul.

The production paints a scene of gritty defiance with its cinematic instrumentation and delicate high-end frequencies that purposefully carry the vocal narration. It is a haunting exploration of reclaiming personal power, and if you’ve ever shrunk into yourself to please someone else, Boundaries will scratch far beyond the surface.

Drawing inspiration from NF, Jon Bellion, and BANKS, Kimi fused electronic synths with modern trap and drill drums to create a genre-defying synthesis to platform her raw, thought-provoking lyrics and memorable alternative melodies.

The track is a paradoxical cocktail of soulful spirituality and dark, domineering aesthetics. It’s a juxtaposition that not only underscores the thematic power of the track but also elevates it as a defining moment in Nickerson’s discography.

Boundaries will be available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify, from September 26th.

Review by Amelia Vandergast