Rising London talent Kay Young captured our hearts and minds last month with the excellent single “White Teeth”, and returns today with a follow-up called “Suddenly” that shows a completely different side to her personality and artistry.
On the song, she says: “I wasn’t planning on making this a love song but sometimes the best things aren’t planned. I guess you can compare it to when love comes knocking on your door without a warning and completely catches you off guard – Suddenly.”
“Suddenly” is a slick and subtle R&B track that coasts on a quietly thrumming bass, before an array of electronic elements slyly creep in. This production does a perfect job of accentuating the sensuous surprise of Young’s words, as she unsuspectingly finds herself falling for someone, her feelings making her act in uncontrollable ways. “I’m losing power / When I’m around you, babe / Honestly didn’t see it coming,” she confesses in the chorus, a shy admission of attraction that – paired with the tasteful arrangements – makes us feel the blood rising to her face. As she bashfully describes compiling long texts and hoping for a reciprocal response, claps, electronic chirps and a drizzle of strings filter into the song, and it feels like we’re getting sucked into Young’s imagination of how idyllic this romance could turn out to be – exquisite.
You can watch an intimate and impassioned performance of “Suddenly” in the video below, or find the studio version on streaming platforms.
