Kato The Younger – How Can I Let You Go (2024)
While singer-songwriter Kenny Kato “flirted with band life before suffering burnout…”, he rediscovered his passion for singing and songwriting during the Covid-19 lockdowns; thus, Kato The Younger was born. Isolated in Austin, Texas, during the pandemic, the California native wrote his first song in two years – seems lockdown was a positive influence here. In 2023, Kato released his debut single ‘Give The Boy A Call’, his first in eight years. Along with being a re-introduction to the music scene, Kato began establishing himself in the LA/Orange County as a natural talent ready to make a mark. So, cross your fingers and take a deep breath as we jump into Kato The Younger’s discography.
Following his 2023 track ‘Give The Boy A Call’, Kato enters 2024 with his sophomore single ‘How Can I Let You Go’. Recorded in the home studio of musician Dominic Meneses, Kato shifts from a softer, acoustic-tinged sound in ‘Give The Boy A Call’ to heaver, harder, powerful pop-rock in ‘How Can I Let You Go’. Leaning toward pop-rock of the 1990s, the new single shows a slight reminiscence of Jimmy Eat World; however, the flush of keyboard flutters with modern-day indie-pop making the song fresh but familiar.
As a fan of older pop-rock, songs like this always turn my head and encourage hitting the repeat button more than necessary. ‘How Can I Let You Go’ is a symphony of dynamic guitars, crashing drums and keys wrapped in Kenny Kato’s silvery vocals. Rich and bold, Kato’s dulcet tones hold you in a comfortable hug. Interestingly, the warmth and comfort are met by raw vulnerability and frustration.
For me, the pop-rock single has two levels: the light-hearted calm of an overall melody, and the tumultuous message bound in despair lying beneath. The melody is fun to hear but Kato’s profound lyricism enhances the depth of ‘How Can I Let You Go’. He explains:
“This song is a night drive through the self-justification of staying in a toxic situation when, frankly, you know better. With lyrics somewhat inspired by film noir, ‘How Can I Left You Go’ explores themes of faithlessness, social judgement and self-doubt through a narrator who is flawed, guarded, and increasingly frustrated. He constantly acknowledges his own unhealthy behaviour before immediately rationalising it.”
Find out more about Kato The Younger on his Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
Listen to more profound pop-rock tunes on The Other Side Reviews Pop Rock playlist:
