Kylie Rothfield – Ghost (2021)
Last year we were introduced to a talented young singer-songwriter named Kylie Rothfield. Alright, so she was already on the radar having worked with Alicia Keys, Ryan Tedder (One Republic, Adele), Ester Dean (Rihanna, Katy Perry) and Shane McAnally (Kenny Chesney), but she was new to us. I am so pleased we came across Rothfield and you’ll soon find out why.
A naturally gifted multi-instrumentalist, Rothfield plays the guitar, bass and piano – all of which are expertly used in her music. She wrote her first song at age 12 describing it as “…a feeling that I’ve never been able to forget. Since then, music has confounded me, frustrated me, defined me and saved me…” – she shows this passion in all her songs. Featured on Up and Coming, Rising Artists Blog, Guitar Girl Mag, Indie Music Center, Lefuturewave and even performing on NBC’s Songland, Rothfield is reaching audiences on a global scale. The latest addition to her repertoire is ‘Ghost’.
Following her single ‘Everyone Else’ (read our review here), Rothfield adopts an acoustic-inspired approach in ‘Ghost’. Considering the melody uses guitar, piano, drums and a string section, one would think it a complex arrangement; however, this is not necessarily true. The acoustic approach adds a sense of simplicity in the barebones track. What I find most intriguing in ‘Ghost’ is the spine-chilling incorporation of a violin (at least I assume it’s a violin). The melancholic instrument enhances a haunting quality while at the same time is so apt when looking at the theme.
Touching on intrcate human emotions, ‘Ghost’ explores the anxiety, fear and pain of losing love in a big city. Rothfield shares that “‘Ghost’ was written about lost love and the feeling of drowning in emptiness…” – a concept that is represented in the sentimental and sincere melody. Brutally honest, the track seeps in through your pores and gives you a shiver leaving you gobsmacked.
The melody is heartbreaking, but it is Rothfield’s unique vocals that showcase the pain and desperation of the protagonist. Obscure with a husky quality, her voice has an originality that cannot be imitated, it’s purely Kylie Rothfield.
In addition to her single, Kylie Rothfield released an official music video for ‘Ghost’. Directed by Colin Duffy, this tender video adds an evocative visual element to the moving single. As I mentioned, Rothfield speaks of love and loss in ‘Ghost’ but it is the video that enhances the desperate emotion. In a highly simplistic way, we are pulled into her world with the intimate settings and actions – I won’t tell you what happens but I can say it’s gut-wrenching in a rather gentle way. Bonus: the video does not use strobe-like lighting effects making it suitable for people with photosensitive epilepsy.
For more from Kylie Rothfield check out her official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
