Celeste Kate – Can You Hold My Hand Instead (2022)
Physical intimacy in a relationship can often happen much faster than emotional intimacy. This is something Celeste Kate considers in her single ‘Can You Hold My Hand Instead’ as she considers taking things slow to build emotional connections before physical ones. Steeped in emotional vulnerability, the single takes us into the first tentative steps of a new relationship and reminds us of how fragile these moments can be.
Raw, sensitive and vulnerable, yet soothing, the single offers emotional support and looks at the small things in a relationship that further it more than any fast physical encounters can. While Kate’s music is often described as quirky, the introspective touch of her lyrics shows a depth that can’t be ignored. With almost two decades of musical experience under her belt, she effortlessly brings the ups and downs of emotions to life.
‘Can You Hold My Hand Instead’ opens with a gentle piano line that offers the first touch of the emotions of the track. There is an intimacy woven into the tender line of the piano that settles on your skin. Using only the piano line to drive the melody creates a wonderfully intimate space that allows you to be vulnerable and feel the tentative touch of the first stages of a relationship. It is like each note has been infused with the joy of being with someone you care about, tempered by a hint of apprehension. It is a really sensitive melody that, through its simplicity, brings a wealth of emotion that tugs at your heartstrings. The minimalist edge of the melody also allows the vocals to really shine.
While the piano melody creates the intimate and vulnerable space of the single, it is Kate’s vocals that really bring the emotions to life. Joining her on vocals is Andrew Tomney, who co-wrote and produced the track. The interplay between their vocals offers the two sides of a relationship. Their voices join together beautifully and twine in a mimicry of the slow build of love between two people. While the vocals are paired fantastically, it is Kate’s that really stand out as they dance on the air like embers sparking off a fire. In the later parts of the single, her performance powerfully rises to reach for your heart and squeezes. As their vocal delivery washes emotions across your senses, the lyrics bring a poetic yearning for a deeper emotional connection before a physically intimate one. The vulnerability of the melody is echoed in her performance as she asks for a simple act, such as holding hands.
Celeste Kate tugs at your heartstrings as she yearns for a slow building emotional connection through the vulnerable and touching emotional charge of ‘Can You Hold My Hand Instead’. Using only a piano line, the melody forms an intimate space where the vocals can confess and weave together. Kate and Tomney pair their vocals together perfectly for a rich depth before Kate’s performance soars up for an emotive crescendo.
Find out more about Celeste Kate on her Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
