Album Review: "biting my tongue" - kenzie
- Kaitlyn Nicole
- Aug 1, 2024
- 7 min read
Pop Singer kenzie, also known by her full name MacKenzie Ziegler, has released her highly anticipated album, "biting my tongue", her first album release in six years.
TRACKLIST
biting my tongue
bad 4 u
not around
anatomy
the me i was
word vomit
6 feet under
close to you
midnight murderer
paper
face to face
casualty
kenzie grew up outside of Pittsburgh in Murrysville, Pennsylvania and is best known for her appearance on the LifeTime reality TV show, Dance Moms in which she starred in with her older sister, Maddie Ziegler. Although kenzie was and still is an incredible dancer, singing has always been her true passion. The now 20-year-old California based artist used to use the stage name Mack Z, and released an album in 2014 with the same name which ended up at the number one spot on the iTunes pop charts. Since then, she's been continuously releasing music and building the career she's always wanted, going on to release her first album as kenzie titled "Phases" in 2018, a viral hit with YouTuber and Singer Johnny Orlando titled "What If (I Told You I Liked You)" within the same year, a collaboration track titled "Exhale" with Sia in 2020 and tons more. Now, 6 years after the release of "Phases" and a project that has been in the works for over 2 years now, we finally have another album from kenzie! Let's dive into "biting my tongue", a project that kenzie said "speaks up for that little girl who was too afraid to speak her mind. and i hope that it can help all of you speak yours."
biting my tongue
We open up the album with the title track, "biting my tongue". It's a dark, eerie song exactly about what it's called. You hold back saying what you really feel just to make everyone else feel better or to like you, but really all you're doing is hurting yourself. You're not benefiting by not being your authentic self, it's almost better to just say what you want to say and get these toxic people out of your life. Who care's if they like you or not? kenzie says she's tired and fed up, and she is ready to move on.
bad 4 u
"bad 4 u" was released as the seventh single and is a dark-pop bop, so get ready for it to get stuck in your head. Filled with a haunting electro soundscape and screeching strings, "bad 4 u" is about knowing when something, or someone, is not good for you but you decide to go along with it anyway. It's self-destructive behavior, when someone entices your curiosity so much that you're willing to go through the painful aftermath just to know what the rush feels like to be with them. kenzie sings, "it's a dumb thing to do but all the best things are bad for you".
not around
"not around" is an electro-pop hit about when someone leaves you for a carbon-copy of yourself. It's confusing, and it doesn't make sense - and sometimes you start to wonder if the person they left you for is doing it on purpose. At the end of the day though, you realize that you're better off without them in your life. This is a "dance it off" kind of song, where the situation is really messed up but you've got to do your best to not let it bother you anymore and to look at the bright side of things.
anatomy
"anatomy" was the second single to be released last year in anticipation for this album, and it quickly became of of kenzie's biggest songs to date. This song is accompanied by a music video where kenzie brings back her dancing talents, which are choreographed by her older sister Maddie who still professionally dances. "anatomy" is a deeply emotional piano song about growing up without a father, and the impact that it has had on kenzie. She's not holding back on how her father's toxicity and absence has effected her and her family. It's a song that unfortunately, many little girls can relate to out there. It's beautifully tragic, so make sure to grab your tissues before pressing play.
the me i was
"the me i was" is the eighth and final single which was released along with the album, accompanied by a music video. There are a lot of very personal songs on this song, but this one hits a little bit different. kenzie sings about wishing she could be the girl she was before she had gone through trauma and heartbreak, the girl that was sweeter and trusted easier. The way she sings is so deeply emotional, and you have an instrumental, electronic production breakdown that takes the emotion to a whole new height. This is a song that many people can relate to as well. Once you experience life a little bit and realize that people aren't all good, it changes you, and not for the better. This song feels like mourning the loss of yourself, a part of you that you'll never get back.
word vomit
Acting as the fourth single before the release of this album, we have "word vomit". The lyrics don't actually contain the words, "word vomit" however, the lyrics literally are word vomit. They are just an endless stream of conscious, kenzie letting every thought in her head out onto the floor. It's a very personal, painful song about heartbreak; when you thought you knew someone and they turned out to be extremely toxic; and now you're just left all alone with your mind and intense feelings. This song puts a spotlight on a haunting guitar progression and drums that continue to build as the song goes on.
6 feet under
Although it didn't come with a video, kenzie released "6 feet under" as the sixth single in anticipation for this album, just 2 months before it's release. This song is about being in a relationship with someone who is insecure and controlling; they feel like if you have a life outside of being in a relationship with them, then you don't love them or they're losing you. kenzie sings of how there's enough room for her to be herself and for her to love them, but as long as they keep pushing to change her, the more it feels like the end. This song is filled with acoustic guitar and a catchy, early 2000's type of beat.
close to you
"close to you" is the fifth single and is a beautiful love song and a duet with fellow pop singer, ASTN. This song is perfect for anyone who has found somebody who they've deeply fallen in love with, who makes everything feel right in the world. This song will definitely remind you of them; who knows, may it can become your couple song or the song you'll end up slow-dancing to at your wedding. It's slow but powerful, mixed with a bit of soul and simplicity to really give the vocals and heartfelt lyrics a chance to shine.
midnight murderer
"midnight murderer" is a fun song about those days you'd stay out and up all night with your friends; back when you could sleep all day the next day and time was never an issue. You had all the energy in the world and having fun with your friends gave you the sense of euphoria and adrenaline you needed.
paper
"paper" was the first song to be released over a year ago in anticipation for kenzie to release a new album. Although it was highly promoted, it continues to be one of the more underrated songs even though in my opinion, it's one of her best. It's got a simple, RnB influenced beat with guitar with gentle, classic, heartbroken vocals. "paper" is about losing a partner who left you to be with someone who is more "picture perfect". They cared more about looks rather than what's good for them. It really hurts a person's self-esteem when something like this happens, because it makes you feel like you're not physically good enough even though you know personality wise, you were a perfect match. kenzie sings, "she looks good on paper, but I look good on you."
face to face
Released as a single just six months ago, "face to face" is the third single from this album. It takes a retro approach, with a fast-paced electronic beat, ethereal synths and layers of gorgeous vocal harmonies that transport you back to the 80's. The fact the the music is a bit nostalgic holds more meaning that it may seem once you realize what the song is truly about. "face to face" is about the frustration of having to play out the majority of your relationships over technology, and not in person. When you have a fight with someone, they have time to plan out what they want to say in text or when they call you instead of having a genuine face-to-face conversation. Combined with the music video, it's also about just missing that real human connection with people in this day of social media.
Closing out the album, we have the final track, "casualty". It's the come down, as it's more of a folk-influenced style with acoustic guitar and strings. "casualty" is about knowing when a relationship is hanging by a thread, but refusing to let it go. At any given second, things could end and they could end very badly, but both of you are too scared to lose each other; so instead you just hold on.
I think "biting my tongue" is the best, most personal work we've gotten to hear from kenzie thus far. I feel like we're finally getting to hear who she is as an artist and not just as a vocalist. We're getting to hear her story and deep emotions. Not only that, but her vocal growth as a singer is absolutely impeccable. Her voice is so beautiful and she sings in a way that engages you as a listener; like you want to hear what she has to say. The touching and relatable songs on this album, mixed with the high quality production and kenzie's voice equal out to pop perfection.
Written By Kaitlyn Nicole
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