When Sarah Kinsley released “The King”, with its sparkling piano introduction shattered with driving percussion and souring synths, she claimed me and many others worldwide as fans. Since her 2021 viral hit, the New York-based singer and producer has been continuing to craft cinematically atmospheric and emotive dream-pop and has taken her place as one of the most enthralling voices in the genre today. Kinsley began her musical journey as a child playing classical piano and violin, and she began to produce her own music while studying music theory at Columbia University. Throughout her career, she has emphasized self-producing every aspect of her tracks due to the underrepresentation of women in the music industry.
“Realms” is Kinsley’s recent release: a single off of her upcoming album, Escaper. According to Clash, when speaking on the track, she said “Realms is a question of all the infinite possibilities of alternate universes and parallel planes. In another world maybe I’m not a musician, maybe I’m a dentist, a graduate student, a barista, a child, a memory, an experience, a thing that never occurred, a person that never was! These are unknown eternities of who we might be in some other realm.” The song dwells on the possibilities of other realities through lyrics like “In some other realm, you are waiting for me / In this other life, we are dancing and singing for free” and “What if this realm is the only world where we collide?” Kinsley explores the murky unknowns of our existence as she finds comfort in the hope that “Somewhere deep in the universe / All the good things have aligned.” The track is beautifully intimate and sweeping, ornamented throughout by trios of percussion hits. Piano and strings gracefully compliment Kinsley’s ethereal and distinctive vocals.
“Somewhere deep in the universe / All the good things have aligned”
Overall, “Realms” is an evocative and vibrant track that is simultaneously action-packed and lush. The song is a flawless ode to the enthralling obscurity of alternate universes and a poignantly energetic yet stirring soundscape. Escaper is set to be released on September 6th and will feature 12 tracks, and with what Kinsley has released so far, it is sure to be a must-listen.
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