An Honest Pop EP From Kayla Thompson
The EP release from Kayla Thompson brings out an honest and youthful undertone that delivers a bright but slightly edgy pop feel that is combined with this genuine delivery and some surprises around the corners along with some warmth and plenty of character.
The A Shot In the Dark EP almost feels like a concept record of source as the tracks intertwined with each other and serve almost like chapters in the artist's life.
Like I said, this record is bursting with persona and lets Kayla shine in terms of her presence as an artist and it's quite beautiful.
Some of these tracks come through in a youthful and anthemic tonality and those soundscapes feel invigorating and empowering at the same time.
This is a very personal record from beginning to end and the way that she delivers the whole thing is graceful and with plenty of passion which speaks volumes for her ability to perform as an artist on record.
Here's the thing, in order to capture a certain kind of energy on a recording you really have to be in the right headspace and she really is just nailing it with every single track on this release.
On top of that, she does everything with a certain charm and all of this creates a certain kind of atmosphere that you want to be a part of and the whole thing has a little bit of an escape to it because of its cinematic backbone.
You're able to step out of your reality and into a different one for a little bit and that feels good to do.
I think a lot of music is made for things like this but I also think it's very hard to get that aspect across but with Kayla, she's able to do it naturally because she's just being so upfront and honest.
Her vocal performances feel so at ease and natural that everything comes through very authentically.
I also love the fact that the EP as a whole, has an array of sub genres that are all pop-oriented, but you have these different approaches to them throughout the record.
R&B, indie rock, Indie pop, and more that are all right there in your face and everything comes through with a real one-on-one feeling to it.
This is a record with a vibe and in order to catch that vibe you should be listening to the EP from beginning to end because that's how it was meant to be soaked in.
There are some singles that stick out and we work so well with let's say radio or Spotify for example, but listening to the EP as a whole is more of an experience and I think that that's how it was meant to be done.
What's more is that you can listen to this more than once and really still feel the same about the songs.
They are all very strong but they are strong in different ways each time.
These tracks do an amazing job of showing Kayla's sides as a person and as a songwriter which I think is essential when you're coming out there as an artist.
Kayla Thompson is one of those artists who is truly paving her own path in the pop world and she's doing it on her terms.
This is a wonderful, genuine, and honest record that serves well in the pop arena.
I'd give this an 8 out of 10 easy.