No matter how a relationship ends, heartbreak is inevitable. Whether it is mutual, or one-sided, a long time coming or a complete shock, the aftermath leaves both parties reeling and in pain. Not to say that some are worse than others, however, but there is very little pain like a complete shock of a breakup. Kaelynn Hayes’ new single “kind regards” details this experience, and the turmoil that followed her after. “I wrote the song about a long-term relationship coming to an abrupt end,” she states, “and the heartbreak that accompanies that. In this track, the simplistic soundscape allows Hayes’ lyrics and vocal tone to pilot the emotional journey the listers take as Hayes recounts the healing process. As the bridge hits, we get more of an intense guitar and piano background, but for the most part it is simply solemn piano notes guiding Hayes.
The beginning of this track starts with Hayes questioning herself and the relationship, as is very common in an abrupt breakup. She wonders if she was the problem, and if their love was ever even real, or if her ex love has even thought through their actions with this breakup. Listeners feel her emotions as she sings in her mournful tone, almost making me feel like this breakup is mine as well. In the chorus, she sings, “Now you’re standing here saying / That you just don’t know me anymore / There’s no smashing plates or slamming doors / Before we wrote it in the stars / You signed us off with kind regards”. The titular line shows just how nonchalant Hayes’ ex is: they wish her the best but that is all the sympathy they are willing to offer. As the second verse passes, we learn about their favorite past times, like long drives through the Chicago night, and see even more second guessing by Hayes. However, as we read the outro, Hayes has accepted this lost love, and returns the kind regards by saying goodbye herself.
Kaelynn Hayes is an 18 year old singer-songwriter from the suburbs of Chicago. Finding her voice at age 7, Hayes has loved music ever since. Once she learned how to play the guitar and the piano, she started posting covers on social media, and began to write her own music in 2022. With a similar sound to Tate McRae’s ballads and Taylor Swift’s folklore / Red albums, Hayes released “kind regards” as her debut single just last week. Already reaching almost 9,000 plays and collecting over 4,500 monthly Spotify listeners, Hayes certainly has hit the ground running. Make sure to follow the social medias below to stay tuned for more amazing music from Kaelynn Hayes.
Written By Tessa Maddaloni
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