Genre-blending singer-songwriter Taylor Kelly drops her new EP, The Spins, via Head Bitch Music, a six-song collection of mesmerizing tunes.
Taylor says, “’The Spins’ is really me being present with myself. It’s me processing the ways OCD had taken over my life with some songs written even before knowing I had the condition. It’s a lyrical mouthful alongside very careful attention to detail, with textured sounds like trumpets, strings, a myriad of synths, and even sound bites from exposure therapy sessions weaving in and out of the melody. It was important to me to capture all of me and all of my voices. It’s truly me baring all.”
Musicians appearing on the EP include Logan Roth (keys, Rhodes, bus synths), Zach Guise (bass/key bass), Lonell Johnson III (keys/aux synths), Jamicka Johnson-Hector (bass), Matt Kepler (bass), Frankie DeRosa (strings), Eoin Murphy (keys, drum programming, and co-production) and engineers Robby Webb and Ryan Schwabe.
Originally from Rochester, NY, and now based in Philly, Taylor’s sound merges elements of jazz, soul, pop, hip-hop, electronic, and funk. She’s shared the stage with St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Dirty Loops, Moonchild, Becca Stevens, Monophonics, Neal Francis, Stolen Gin, Giacomo Turra, Lavalove, Georgia Anne Muldrow, and Lydia Luce.
Entry points include the opening track, “Sometimes,” a retro-flavored pop song highlighted by Taylor’s deliciously evocative vocals, at once beguiling and dripping with hints of R&B nuances.
Talking about the track, Taylor shares, “This is the oldest song on the EP being written back in 2019. This is the wordiest song I have probably ever written, and I can only attribute it to the fact that I was listening to a lot of Kiana Lede and Mahalia at the time.”
The seductive roll and sway of “Take Me” allows Taylor to parade her sensual voice, while “Ain’t It Funny” exudes tints of sumptuous R&B and soul, as well as a charming breezy feel Stripped down to a light piano, guitar, soft percussion, and vocals, the song ripples and flows like warm honey.
A personal favorite, “Attention” slowly builds to dazzling layers of brass, followed by a controlled yet dazzling guitar solo as Taylor’s voice elevates to potent, soaring tones.
Taylor explains, “The chords really influenced the lyrics on this one. I started out writing about internal struggles and ended up writing about somebody else that I felt drawn to and attracted to and I love that. I also love the release that the post-chorus brings as it’s the first time the melody notes are mostly all chord tones. Getting Jamicka to track bass on this makes this my favorite track on the EP. Nothing feels better to me than when Jamicka plays.”
Taylor Kelly’s intimate songwriting comes to life on The Spins, brimming with luscious arrangements flavored with vintage essence.
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Taylor Kelly Tour Dates:
7/25 – Baltimore, MD – The 8×10 (w/ Grayson Moon + Ray Winder)
7/27 – Richmond, VA – Révéler
7/28 – Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s (w/ Human Bloom, Rachel Andie) EP Release
8/01 – Columbus, OH – Old Towne East Arts (w/ Mistar Anderson + Ebri Yahoe)
8/02 – Rensselaer, IN – eMbers Station
8/03 – Chicago, IL – Subterranean (w/ Human Bloom + Jennifer Hall)
8/04 – Pittsburgh, PA – The Cellar, PGH Winery (w/ INEZ & Back Alley Sound)
8/07 – Bethlehem, PA – Musikfest (Main Stage)
8/16 – Geneseo, NY – Drumroll
8/17 – Syracuse, NY – Funk N Waffles (w/ Sing Trece)