If things go south, run to Kaya Stewart. We chatted with Kaya about her new album
We had the chance to talk to Kaya STEWART about her latest album "If things go South". We also talk about Halloween, haunted hotels, and comfort podcasts. You can watch the whole interview here or on our Youtube channel. If you have not done so, hit subscribe to never miss another interview!
Alt-pop songstress Kaya Stewart has released If Things Go South, her sophomore full-length album, today via Bay Street Records. The 10-song album chronicles Kaya’s self-actualization as an artist along with the aches and pains of growing up, doubt, heartbreak and mental health. Under the influence of Alanis Morissette and Debbie Harry, she uncorked a hypnotic and hard-hitting sound of her own with full creative control and complete independence.
The new album arrives in rapid fire succession following singles “Honey,” “‘Til I Fixed It,” “Hope You’re Happy” and today’s title track, “If Things Go South.”
Tina Benitez-Eves of American Songwriter raved about the album’s lead single, saying: “‘Honey’ unleashes desires, vulnerabilities…and the palpable realities of finding yourself while with another.” Over at Teen Vogue, Kaitlyn McNab declared it the “in-your-face ‘Honey’” while adding “the thumping anthem should be done justice by being blasted at full volume — that way, you're able to simultaneously headbang and take in all of Kaya's full-bodied vocals.”
After launching her career in 2015 with a string of releases on Warner Records, Kaya now at the age of 22, arrives in full form with a scorching signature style. The album is tied together with her powerful, unique vocals utilizing pop-punk attitude, intimate Americana-tinged storytelling, and infectious danceable grooves. If Things Go South (co-written and co-produced with her father, Dave Stewart) is Kaya at her most authentic, expressive self. The album is set to have a candid companion performance film — self-narrated — detailing her most personal thoughts (release details TBA).
In the midst of the global pandemic, she was diagnosed with an obsessive-compulsive disorder which was the catalyst to writing the collection of songs that make up If Things Go South.
“It was the weirdest time of my life because I had this life-changing diagnosis that explained so much for me,” she admits. “I wasn’t planning on making an album; I was actually thinking of taking a break for a little while. I called my dad, and he said, ‘Why don’t you just come to Nashville and record a couple of songs?’ By the time I left, we had If Things Go South. I was able to be myself in the studio. The album is the most honest thing I’ve ever done.”
Following her self-titled album, Kaya Stewart (2016), which acquired millions of streams, she then went independent and headed to Nashville to cut the Miss Kaya EP (2020) with producer Jamie Lidell behind the board. Earning critical acclaim for this partnership from NPR and more, The FADER hailed the single “California” as “an airy song about the left-coast with Kaya’s powerful voice and a lot of wobbles courtesy of Jamie.”
