Following her viral hit, “Strangers,” Kenya Grace has released her new single “It’s Not Fair”, in preparation for her Ep The Aftertaste coming out this Friday. Fans of her deeply honest and emotive lyricism contrasted by powdery beats and dreamy vocals will relate to the melancholic narrative of heartbreak that Grace weaves between the pulsating synths of “It’s Not Fair”.
Born in South Africa and raised in the UK, the singer, songwriter, and producer recently solidified her artistry by having the second song to hit number one that was entirely produced and written by a British female solo artist, 45 years after her predecessor Kate Bush – the Kate Bush. Finding herself amongst names that have made music history, Grace prepares to follow up that accomplishment with the release of her EP, The After Taste.
In January, Grace took to socials to tease a snippet of “It’s Not Fair”, writing in her caption that the sounds of this new single feel a little like country music. A bit more Drum & Bass than Brooks & Dunn, “It’s Not Fair”, does deliver the billowy melodrama evocative of warm backcountry drives, albeit infused into liquid DnB beats that promise to drift us from our winter blues into summery dance club nights and through to our inevitable post-summer fling breakups. In other words, “It’s Not Fair” sets up the promise of longevity for Grace and her music.
Once describing her sound (with incredible accuracy) as Dream & Bass, Grace’s mesmerizing vocals on “It’s Not Fair” are as light as a lullaby. The breathy countdown of 3, 2, 1 at the beginning of the track is entrancing. Her signature calming, sotto voce vocals create a wonderful contrast with the slinky DnB backing – meshing together without competing.
Her storytelling does not fall second to her production or vocals with the new single. She emotes through the hypnotizing chorus lyrics, “And it’s not fair / You don’t care / But I see you everywhere”. With lyrics nearly as haunting as her vocals, Grace delivers a demandingly honest and intimate narrative of those deep-rooted and oh-too-familiar breakups that vibrate throughout our social circles all the while our exes live in peace – which is really, truly, not fair.
Kenya Grace’s EP The Aftertaste releases this Friday, March 22nd. Her North American tour dates include an April 3rd show in Toronto and an April 5th show in Montreal. Listen to “It’s Not Fair” across streaming platforms now.
Hannah Verina White is a Montreal and Toronto based writer. She has a deep love for the melodramatic and nostalgic, both of which influence the way she writes and the subjects she chooses to write about.