Kendyle Paige is a New York, USA-based singer songwriter who has just hit my radar thanks to her new album that explores the theme of human dichotomy. It’s called Ladybird.
By Graeme Smith
Feature photo by Adam Wolven
Kendyle has lived two lives in many ways. She’s based herself on both coasts of the US, in New York and Los Angeles. She’s left family behind in order to build a new one, and Ladybird documents this transition for her. Musically, the album is a mix of light and dark, opening slowly and melancholically with the stripped back John & Yvette. BullsEye, which sees Kendyle joined by Brandon Lee Richardson, by contrast, is bright, soulful and bittersweet.
Seasons Change, a collaboration with Jahvel Lewis, eases us gently into something a little funkier while Hold His Hand pairs Kendyle with Tioka Troy and gives us a taste of lo-fi hip hop. Cynical rounds off the first half of the album by perfectly capturing its essence. It starts on an emotional low point with pensive piano and confessional lyrics before developing into a cathartic rock climax. It’s a highlight.
Lame for the Hype, which sees Kendyle team up with ThatBoiiTone, is a burn track that introduces moody electronica and rap into what is already a diverse album genre-wise. Fig Leaf features Smittie and goes jazzy and hopeful. Got No Time reintroduces some funk with its lowdown and dirty composition. Apple Cherry is the album’s final collab, this time with JP McShane. Gently acoustic, it’s a dreamy late album surprise and another highlight. Mine Tonight then closes the album in a lively way with some upbeat disco soul.
With this album, Kendyle and friends have created a wonderfully diverse yet cohesive collection. Emotion runs through it, giving the listener a journey to follow. The lows are pronounced and the highs are giddy. It’s not an exaggeration to call this album perfect. Kendyle Paige is a sleeping giant in the music industry right now.
Ladybird was produced by Brandon Lee Richardson, mixed and engineered by Shane Stanton, and mastered by Matt Filipek. You can check out the whole album below.