Kelsey Coleman presents a grittier, more honest, more relatable take on modern pop. Dare we say it, it’s the same kind of energy Nirvana brought to rock music in the ‘90s. It’s the spirit of, “This is me, I am who I am, take it or leave it”.
Coleman is a young, female artist poised to make an emotional, honest and empowered mark upon today’s pop scene. Her debut release, the single Nobody, may well be that mark.
Unlike many young pop stars, Coleman is raw, honest and direct.
Coleman is every inch the post-modern pop artist; aware of the game, not afraid to be a star, but happy to reject the clichés.
Coleman writes relatable songs with relatable lyrics and they’re songs which come directly from her: unfiltered, unpolished and unadulterated. You only have to hear her talk about the experiences which inspired her music, to know that her music is the real deal.
We’ve all had relationships that haven’t been a fairy tale, and the younger you are, the harder the after-effects of a bad relationship hit home. Coleman challenges those harder issues with an energy unusual for someone of her age, and in a way which will make her instantly relatable to disaffected youth.
Her debut single, Nobody, and its accompanying video eschew the obvious knee-jerk angle of post-relationship break-ups. This isn’t an unfocused, reactionary attempt to label your ex-partner a nobody. Instead, it reflects upon the feelings of being made to feel like a nobody.
There’s a maturity and introspective quality in Coleman’s lyrics and music we haven’t heard from someone this young in a very long time.
So, what does Coleman’s music sound like? Dream-like pop, woven around hip-hop textures which give a framework for her conversational lyrics to grow. Imagine Billie Eilish, but less spooky, less confrontational and more relatable.
A music-technology student at NYU Steinhardt, Coleman has also worked with some influential names in the business. She has collaborated with Myah Marie (writer for Lil Wayne and Britney Spears) as well as producers such as Tarro (Blackbear).
If any more proof were needed of her “for real” attitude, Kelsey Coleman’s first visit to the UK sees her visiting schools to talk to students about mental health issues, the dangers of social media and cyberbullying.
Is Kelsey Coleman the antidote we’ve been searching for?
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