26 Apr 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

Kaela - Single Review: Obsessions

04 Jun 2021 // A review by Danica Bryant

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.

Rating: ( 4 / 5 )
 

About Kaela

Auckland based indie-pop artist Kaela merges her distinct vocal tone with nuanced harmony, dynamic beats and engaging melodic hooks to produce music that acts as a commentary to the tests and tribulations, joys and pleasures of modern day life. Subtle but with a notable emphasis on being refreshingly candour, Kaela is not shy when it comes to engaging in emotion. Often ethereal, always hard-hitting, her music speaks to the soul and continues to walk the fine line between pop-power and intimate offerings.




Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Kaela

Releases

There are no releases to display for Kaela.

Other Reviews By Danica Bryant

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...
Gig Review: Homegrown 2024 @ Wellington Waterfront - 16/03/2024 Part 1
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...
Amiria Grenell - Album Review: The Winter Light
12 Mar 2024 // by Danica Bryant
Otautahi folk singer Amiria Grenell boasts many accolades to her name, and her new album The Winter Light will surely add to the pack. This is a cozy collection of classic folk songs, grounded in nature, family and the endless search for true peace.
Read More...
Bird Machine - EP Review: Hey Human
25 Feb 2024 // by Danica Bryant
Their name is animal, but their music is undeniably human. Bird Machine's latest release is a five-track collection of shoegazing pop-rock, composed by husband and wife duo Luke and Jenna Grbin.
Read More...
Peyton Morete - Album Review: The End To The Beginning
11 Dec 2023 // by Danica Bryant
Poneke artist Peyton Morete goes big with her self-produced album The End to the Beginning, a high-concept collection following the ups and downs of a life and the cyclical nature of the world. The record encompasses a variety of genres from cinematic soundscape pieces and acoustic pop to elements of rap and R&B, all held together by Morete's charismatic vocal performance.
Read More...
VÏKÆ - Album Review: Love Games Deluxe
26 Nov 2023 // by Danica Bryant
Auckland artist VÏKÆ never stops with her busy musical output, with her latest release Love Games Deluxe serving as another welcome entry in her catalogue. It's a project that perfectly encapsulates her brand of singable yet strange, weird yet wonderful, asking you to dance with the threat of dragging you if you resist.
Read More...
MOHI - Album Review: Elements of Aroha
26 Nov 2023 // by Danica Bryant
MOHI is a bilingual artist, bending music and language to bear his soul. His new album Elements of Aroha circles its recurring motif of love as a force of nature, connecting people to the land in a tranquil musical journey.
Read More...
Jupita - EP Review: Want You Back
16 Nov 2023 // by Danica Bryant
Julia Morris is a multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter hailing from Auckland, stepping out as indie-pop soloist Jupita on the debut EP Want You Back.Whilst the opening track's title Anxiety might fool you into thinking this will be a heavy moment and collection, this number is actually incredible fun.
Read More...
View All Articles By Danica Bryant

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • TOO SWEET
    Hozier
  • BEAUTIFUL THINGS
    Benson Boone
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • I LIKE THE WAY YOU KISS ME
    Artemas
  • SATURN
    SZA
  • STICK SEASON
    Noah Kahan
  • END OF BEGINNING
    Djo
  • LIKE THAT
    Future And Metro Boomin feat. Kendrick Lamar
  • ESPRESSO
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS (WAIT FOR YOUR LOVE)
    Ariana Grande
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
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 ProblemReport A Problem