Review: "Self Defense" - Kayla Oh

“Self Defense” is the newest single from singer-songwriter Kayla Oh. The song is a stunning guitar-centered acoustic ballad. Kayla, alongside producer Arthur Pingrey pair simple quaint production with lyrics that are anything but. “Self Defense” is about a topic that is as poetic as it is relatable: reflecting back on a relationship when you are older and wiser to what a healthy romantic partner truly is. Kayla pens her personal story into a song rich with empathy and emotional resonance. It’s a universal feeling that “Self Defense” captures it with such raw authenticity. On the track, Kayla writes a song that is melancholic, yet beautiful.

Kayla herself asks, “How can you know better, when you're 15 and an older boy makes you feel special for the first time, and promises so much and gives so little?” It’s a question that so of us understand all too well. For those who relate, “Self Defense” is a cathartic track with pinpoint accurate lyricism. Lyrics like “go tell your friends that / I’m a crazy bitch / we’re all the same / you can’t run from the truth / your love is just abuse” are just meant be screamed along to in the car. It’s a powerful sentiment of knowing what you deserve in a relationship and a great message to listeners everywhere. Kayla Oh is an incredible writer; she is not just a lyricist but a storyteller. Details like “Christmas day on the river / you’re sleeping through it / surprise attack” are evocative in the images it creates. “Self Defense” manages to have specific lyrics that still speaks to the larger ideas of toxic relationships and betrayal. The track is a beautifully acoustic blend of indie-pop and rock. Fans of artists like Phoebe Bridgers and Clairo would definitely find much to love about the track, as “Self Defense” is reminiscent of the best aspects of those artists while still managing to be a sound unique of its own. It’s a sonically gorgeous track with powerful lyricism.

Kayla Oh is a New York City based artist whose musical career is just beginning. In just her second single, Kayla Oh proves herself to be an artist that needs to be listened to. “Self Defense” is follows Kayla’s first single, “See Through” from October 2023. Another stunning guitar ballad, the song was a complete breakout smash. It currently amassed over 88,000 streams on Spotify, with Kayla herself having over 1500 monthly listeners. Based on the musical talent of these tracks alone, Kayla’s future work is bound to be exciting. You can listen to “Self Defense,” along with “See Through” on all streaming services now.

Written By Lauren Nolan

FOLLOW KAYLA:

Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Soundcloud | YouTube 

*Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article.

#SustainableCurator