Kaela - Single Review: Obsessions
Kaela is not one to let herself be forgotten. Returning from a brief hiatus, her new single Obsessions delivers an otherworldly exploration of her struggle with OCD. It is both vulnerable and relatable, striking that rare balance most pop writers can only dream of achieving.
Kaela sings with a brutal passion which drives every lyric home. “Stuck in seclusion” and “disillusioned”, her vocal delivery hits listeners with a gut punch that reflects her own mental state. The single’s artwork does an excellent job at further conveying this feeling, embodying the haunted atmosphere of the song itself whilst maintaining a clear and appealing colour scheme and style, and highlighting Kaela.
It is impossible to ignore the incredibly unique production at play on Obsessions. Auckland’s Sophie Bialostocki, known by many as Levyne, deserves immense recognition for the kooky, disturbed array of production techniques she puts to use to back up Kaela’s dark lyricism. The instrumentation calls upon ideas of a carnival gone wrong. Further dynamic range could lift this song to ultimate electro-pop dance territory if desired, but as is, the song is a strong alternative pop number.
Undeniably, Obsessions is a triumphant return to the music scene for Kaela. Its quirks come together to create an ethereal song everybody involved should be proud of. Give Obsessions a listen next time you either want a good sing along... or a good cry.
About Kaela
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Kaela
Releases
Other Reviews By Danica Bryant
Alba Rose - EP Review: First Light
12 Dec 2024 // by Danica Bryant
Kiwi soul pop creative Alba Rose has dropped her first international release after relocating to Berlin, the new EP First Light. Gaining popularity as the frontwoman of Corduroy before taking off on her solo endeavours, Rose has increasingly found success on the NZ charts and festival circuit.
Read More...
Adam Hattaway & The Haunters - Album Review: High Horse
07 Nov 2024 // by Danica Bryant
Marking their sixth album in six years, High Horse is the latest impressive release from Christchurch powerhouses Adam Hattaway and the Haunters. Unlike the boisterous rock and roll ventures which precede it, High Horse is an intimate, eerie project made with a small group of collaborators.
Read More...
Tess Liautaud - Album Review: Blue Mind
25 Oct 2024 // by Danica Bryant
As the modern musical generation dive headfirst into digital production, home studios and the art of the solo performance, it’s hard to remember the days of the traditional, all-out band jam session. But Tess Liautaud’s beautiful sophomore record Blue Mind proves that lifestyle is alive and well in Otautahi.
Read More...
Claudia Robin Gunn - Album Review: Little Wild Learning
16 Sep 2024 // by Danica Bryant
The art of writing children's music is deceptively harder than people might expect. The songs are easy to listen to and lyrically simple, but they must incorporate educational vocabulary, introduce new ideas about life, and maintain a catchiness that gives young listeners a fun experience, rather than one that could be overwhelming.
Read More...
Nur Peach - Album Review: Syncopate
21 Jun 2024 // by Danica Bryant
Coromandel Peninsula's Nur Peach is fresh off a bachelor's degree in Pop Music and is immediately "gathering momentum" to realize her dream of releasing an album. Syncopate is an eclectic pop-folk and adult contemporary record full of motivational coming-of-age material, produced in collaboration with Auckland's Scott Seabright.
Read More...
Valere - EP Review: Gold Dust
10 Jun 2024 // by Danica Bryant
Christchurch performer Valere has built an impressive catalogue over the past decade, and her latest EP Gold Dust is no exception. Informed by recent years of experiences with motherhood, marriage and familial love and loss, Valere rediscovered the simplicity of songwriting on the guitar, and has now shared six powerful tracks motivated by this artistic return.
Read More...
Aro - Album Review: He Rakau, He Ngarara
21 Apr 2024 // by Danica Bryant
Tamaki Makaurau based husband & wife duo Charles & Emily Looker, otherwise known as Aro, escape genre boundaries on their fourth body of work, He Rakau, He Ngarara. Aro's waiata draw from country and folk, jazz, and shades of haka, making for a collection that often purposefully creates sonic whiplash in a stunning exploration of sound and kaitiakitanga and manaakitanga.
Read More...
17 Mar 2024 // by Danica Bryant
By some miracle, Homegrown 2024 hits a home run and finds Welly on an infamous good day this Saturday, 16th March. That sun is blazing down as the fairground rides and colourful outfits roll out onto the waterfront.
Read More...
Most Viewed Artists
Latest Galleries
NZ Top 10 Singles
- APT.
ROSÉ And Bruno Mars - DIE WITH A SMILE
Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars - BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Billie Eilish - TASTE
Sabrina Carpenter - I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
Gracie Abrams - ESPRESSO
Sabrina Carpenter - SAILOR SONG
Gigi Perez - LOSE CONTROL
Teddy Swims - A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
Shaboozey - GOOD LUCK, BABE!
Chappell Roan
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report A Problem
