Single reviewsThe Other Side Reviews

Kiesza (ft. Sugar Jesus) – Heaven Ain’t Calling (2024)

If Madonna dances along to your music (and openly did on her social media), then you have something going. Of course, Kiesza has far more going than Madonna being a fan when it comes to being an artist. Featured in notable publications like Rolling Stone, NME, Vogue and Billboard, touring as support for Demi Lovato and Lindsey Stirling, co-writing songs with Jennifer Hudson and penning some tracks for Rihanna, collaborating with Kylie Minogue and Skrillex, being interviewed on Ellen, performing as a guest on Duran Duran’s album Paper Goods, and receiving four JUNO awards, Kiesza is a force to be reckoned with.

Standing alongside the alternative rock Alanis Morrissette and pop-punk star Avril Lavigne, singer-songwriter Kiesza is the pop trailblazer in Canada’s music scene. From her electropop debut ‘Hideaway’ to the soul-tinged ballad ‘Sweet Love’ and EDM anthem ‘Egyptian Sun’, Kiesza saunters through various flavours of pop fusing them into a refreshing inimitable sound. The latest addition to her discography is the single ‘Heaven Ain’t Calling’.

Following her single ‘Christmas Without You’, Kiesza’s ‘Heaven Ain’t Calling’ flutters from house music to electropop pushing everyone to the dance floor. Yet, while the single is pop-driven, slices of jazz slither through the melody with Sugar Jesus’ rich, soulful vocals breaking through. Adding a dash of boundary-breaking innovation, the house-inspired beats are enhanced by Kiesza’s switch to hip-hop encased within a flood of psychedelic synths.

While the melody is intriguing, the theme showcases Kiesza’s depth alongside her innovativeness. Reaching the core of self-expression and individuality, Kiesza sees both sides of the coin tackling the freedom of self-expression, but the darker oppression that comes with the blast of empowerment. She explains:

“A friend of mine once said, “If none of my friends are going to Heaven, I just want to go where they’re going”. It made me think about the oppression that can come with self-expression and the courage it takes to wake up every day and be completely yourself. In ‘Heaven Ain’t Calling’, the underlying message I’m conveying is that nothing will stop me from being exactly who and what I was created to be. And if Heaven ain’t calling me, I’m going where all the people go!”


In addition to the single, Kiesza released an official music video for ‘Heaven Ain’t Calling’. You can view the video below or via Kiesza’s YouTube channel.



Find out more about Kiesza on her official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.

This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator


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