Kayla Oh – See Through (2023)
At only 19 years of age, singer-songwriter Kayla Oh is standing at the door of adulthood with all its opportunities, experiences and emotional unknown. When you open that door, you bounce into a bright world; however, Kayla Oh already has some taint to her bounce. In an uncertain world where people grow up too quickly, the US-based musician understands vulnerability, frustration, inner turmoil, anxiety and the harsh glare of life and loss. Come take a step into Kayla Oh’s brain with her debut single ‘See Through’.
Inspired by the likes of Stevie Nicks, Joni Mitchell and Phoebe Bridgers, Kayla Oh weaves silvery threads of intimacy through a vibrant sonic tapestry. A bold pop vibe runs across the tapestry, but just as there are vibrant red pop threads, a tinge of heart-breaking folk tinges the edges. Similar to Joni Mitchell, a profoundness exists in Kayla Oh’s melody but even more so in the melancholic lyricism. Kayla Oh explains:
“I wrote ‘See Through’ about a relationship that ended right before we both went to college. It delves into that confusing feeling you experience when trying to move on from a person, where one moment it feels like you’ve fully healed and the next it feels like you’ve taken 10 steps backwards. At the time I wrote the song, I was kept incredibly busy by the adjustment period that is starting college and felt as if I’d healed from the breakup. The truth was, I had never really processed my heartbreak… Writing ‘See Through’ was the first time I admitted to myself that I wasn’t as put together as I hoped to be…”
A cathartic confession, Kayla Oh tosses herself entirely into ‘See Through’ as the personal narrative resonates with listeners. It is this barebones songwriting that, I believe, will be a distinctive style. Moreover, she has a way of stringing brash fragility and starkness into a tranquil pool of sincerity. Bold and vulnerable, charming with a bite of crisp pain, Kayla Oh shows sophistication far beyond her years.
For more from Kayla Oh, check out her Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
Find more charming folk-pop tunes on The Other Side Reviews’ Folk Pop playlist:
