LNA LIFE!Music & Entertainment

KIRBY RELEASES NEW EP “SIS. HE WASN’T THE ONE”

ByE NEWSOctober 21, 20212 Mins read209

Today, acclaimed American singer and songwriter KIRBYreleases new EP “Sis. He wasn’t the one”.

“Sis. He wasn’t the one”is a 10-song masterclass dedicated to documenting the thorny and complex side of relationships for women struggling with unequal partnerships, unrequited love and complex feelings of self-worth. KIRBY shares candid stories of lows in modern love based off of her own experiences, songs that she would detail in private for therapeutic means. The stories weaved on “Sis. He wasn’tthe one”are tales many women may relate to privately. But rather than shun thoseexperiences, KIRBY delicately encourages us to bring our hurt into the open, rather than conceal out of shame.“I guess it was just on my heart to tell those stories and not just start with how it ended.”

The EP’s 6th track, “Lately”, is one of the best examples of the artist’s “commitment to soul”, a standout featuring acclaimed artistBJ The Chicago Kid. The track is underscored by backing containing plucking guitar strings, choral-esque harmonies and xylophone taps of the oldies, KIRBY gives name to moments of weakness in relationships. ‘I get lonely /that’s when you call me/ I see it so clearly/ All that I want for me is you” she sings, tapping into the vocals and song structure of musical predecessors like D’Angelo. BJ The Chicago Kid’s melodic voice beautifully compliments KIRBY’s, creating a luxurious soundscape that’s as smooth as honey. The exhilarating, elastic funk of the previously released “Coconut Oil”and the anthemic, retro R&B of “Boyz II Men”showcase the breadth and scope showcased, and another highlight is the EP’s opening track, “Love Song”. The track is a delicate ballad and a whisper of a track just shy of 2 minutes. Still, KIRBY manages to pack a swelling, affecting instrumental into a track that communicates its mournful tone, sprinkling in piano notes amongst orchestral strings, catapulting the listener into KIRBY’s musical genius.

KIRBY was already well known and much lauded for her skills in song-writing before shifting the spotlight onto her own captivating artistry. The Memphis born, Mississippi raised rising star cites a commitment to creating “soul music for the future” in a time where many no longer ascribe to genre. She developed her voice singing in the Southern Baptist church from a young age, training that shaped her standout vocals and strong character. It is training that gave way to the release of her last years “Sis”EP, which saw her appear on NPR’s Tiny Desk, three separate usages in the most recent season of HBO’s series ‘Insecure’ and over 20million streams across streamingplatforms in only a few months. She has additionally featured on the popular COLORS series and received praise from the likes of Rolling Stone, British Vogue, Clash and Elle. With further collaborations with musicians like Lucky Daye and The Menahan Street Band(of Amy Winehouse’siconic album “Back to Black”), her standout song-writing skills have seen her pen tracks for Beyoncé (Die With You), Ariana Grande (Break Your Heart Right Back) and Kanye West (FourFiveSeconds, Only One)among others.

The “Sis. He wasn’t the one” EP is just the latest step in KIRBY’s ever-expanding catalogue, and her newest foray into showing listeners her original sound as the “granddaughter of soul.” With a coveted support slot on John Legend’s US tour this autumn currently underway, expect to hear much more in the coming months.