London-based singer-songwriter Kianja released her brand-new single/music video, “Place For Me,” a short time ago.
Explaining “Place For Me,” Kianja shares, “Everything is uncertain. I penned this song in the third lockdown, it was starting to feel like the walls were caving in. I was juggling family issues, financial issues, finding my identity, all the real-life shit that no one wants to talk about on Instagram. Sometimes it can be hard to make peace with the fact that my fate is out of my control, but it’s so important to stay present. I’m very lucky to have songwriting as a channel to fully address how I feel. I still have moments of doubt and fear, I assume everyone does. All I can do is keep it moving, keep learning, and consistently create a place for me.”
“Place For Me” follows on the heels of her 2019 debut EP, Glory, and last year’s EP, In A Different Light. Glory received backing from BBC Radio 1, Rinse FM, and 1Xtra, along with the blessing of Nile Rogers to perform at Meltdown Festival. In A Different Light collected placement on Spotify’s Sweet Soul Sunday and Easy playlists, along with a cover on the Surface playlist.
Opening on a gentle acoustic guitar, “Place For Me” offers simply delicious flavors of R&B and soul atop an uncomplicated snapping rhythm. At once intimate and vulnerable, Kianja’s evocative voice imbues the revealing lyrics with lush textures and sumptuous emotion mirroring her internal hesitation.
“I wanna know, I wanna know… / Is there a place for me? / I wanna know, I wanna know… / Is there a place for me?”
The video, shot in hues of cerulean blue, depicts Kianja accompanied by only her guitar, delivering her affecting lyricism via her deluxe, expressive tones.
“Place For Me” validates Kianja’s profound songwriting ability, as well as her authenticity and lusciously impressive voice.
Follow Kianja Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | Spotify