It goes without saying that the best art tends to have an immediate effect on its consumer, with its impact being felt the second it is appreciated. If you’re looking to seek out that experience any time soon, you’d be wise to check out Good Company, the long-awaited debut EP from Zimbabwe-born, London-raised, Naarm/Melbourne-based vocalist KYE.
Having first made her presence felt with debut single (and EP title track) “Good Company” back in 2019, KYE has been rising fast as a name to watch on the local scene. Taking influence from the likes of Kehlani, Solange, and NAO, KYE’s powerful lyricism paired with her unique blend of neo-soul to quickly turn heads upon every release she made.
Returning this year with singles such as “Sometimes”, the Jerome Farah-featuring “Tuesday”, and “Gold” (which sees collaborations with Sampa the Great and 18YOMAN), KYE made it clear that she was not only working with some of the country’s finest artists, but also working toward the release of a body of work that was undeniably special.
Describing the EP as “a story about my first experiences of falling in and out of love – romantically, platonically and internally”, KYE explains that it was written during a “pivotal and transitional” point in her life, with its arrival serving as “a journey of growth and self-exploration, first loves and heartbreaks”.
“It is vulnerable and honest. It is heartbreaking and joyful,” explains KYE. “It is a representation of the woman I feel I am becoming and an insight to how I feel as I navigate this space in my life.”
However, the beauty of Good Company comes from the immersive experience it provides its listeners, drawing them into the narrative it creates and leaving them able to channel KYE’s feelings just as viscerally as when it was first created.
Of course, with the five-track EP featuring four previously-released singles, Good Company might not provide too much fresh material for dedicated fans of KYE, though it does present them in the manner intended for true clarity, and also comes accompanied by new track “Finest Quality” – a collaboration with local great Touch Sensitive.
“When I first heard KYE’s background vocals on the Genesis Owusu record I remember asking his management who it was cause she sounded like a superstar,” recalls Michael di Francesco (Touch Sensitive). “Then when I got asked to help out on a track I was stoked, I said yes before I even heard it.”
Speaking of the inspiration behind the track, KYE explains that it’s representative of her path to unapologetic self-love, and stepping into womanhood, both as an artist and a person.
“‘Finest Quality’ is about feeling yourself even when no one else is,” she explains. “It’s about being your most confident, unapologetic self even when there may be those around you who want to dim that light. I wrote this song as I wanted something to represent the way I felt stepping into womanhood and fully embrace who I am as an artist and a person.
“It’s been such a long journey to self-love and this song is a reminder to keep being my most authentic self and to be proud of that, no matter what obstacles I’m faced with.”
At just 16 minutes in length, the only drawback to Good Company is that it doesn’t go for longer. But of course, given how special this EP truly is, it won’t be long before KYE is back, sharing even more music that allows our collective souls to take flight.
KYE’s Good Company EP is out now.
KYE Tour Dates
Saturday, November 27th, 2021
Ability Fest, Melbourne, VIC
Sunday, December 5th, 2021
Chapel Fringe Sessions, Melbourne, VIC
Saturday, December 11th, 2021
(Supporting Young Franco)
UoW Unibar, Wollongong, NSW
Friday, December 31st, 2021
Beyond The City, Melbourne, VIC
Saturday, January 8th, 2022
(Supporting Young Franco)
Enmore Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Friday, January 14th, 2022
(Supporting Young Franco)
The Forum, Melbourne, VIC
Saturday, January 15th, 2022
Loch Hart Music Festival, Princetown, VIC
Friday, January 21st, 2022
(Supporting Young Franco)
The Tivoli, Brisbane, QLD
