From the moment Kim Yang's new single 'Forever This Way' begins, you're transported to a low-lit dance floor coated in dry ice, with the feeling of having your arms around someone you love.
The soul-inspired track by the Taiwanese-Australian singer is a celebration of love – a heartfelt piece of music directed toward our everyday heroes. . . Whether it be the partners, spouses or friends who brighten our days. 'Forever This Way' is taken from Kim's upcoming debut album, 'Turn On The Lights', slated for release this May.
The album explores Kim's musings on identity, purpose, fear, and anxiety as it draws on her journey through self-doubt, discovery, and acceptance.
The production in 'Forever This Way' is drenched in that warm sense of familiarity only a loved one can bring, with raw and emotional vocals: “You light up my life, that is why I love you. . .”
The love felt throughout only makes perfect sense, when you learn the song exists because of the love Kim has for her husband.
“'Forever This Way' is a chill, romantic, soulful cinematic ballad built on layered strings, warm guitars, bass, drums, keys and choir. Slow, intimate and uplifting – a love song about feeling illuminated by someone who brings out your courage and softness,” Kim describes. “It celebrates the relationships we cherish and nurture for a lifetime. I wrote this song on my 10th wedding anniversary with my husband, who was the inspiration for it.”
scenestr is super excited to premiere 'Forever This Way' ahead of its official release. Enjoy.
“My husband is a fan of blues and soul music, this tune was written to his taste, adding my favourite cinematic string arrangement by Melbourne singer-songwriter Emma Kelly, aka Happy Axe.”
The song was born when Kim began to reflect on the past decade of her marriage. She had always wanted to write a soul and gospel song inspired by her husband's favourite genre and her own experience performing in an indie blues and soul band – so she got to work, and presented the track to her producer Louis Montgomery (SAFIA, Peking Duk).
“The single blends indie-folk roots with cinematic soul blues, reflecting my evolving sound and global influences,” Kim says. “For a classic gospel and soul song, I was hoping to create the beautiful soulful harmony with a choir, so I invited my good friend, also a soul folk singer Hannah Acfield, in Melbourne to the studio one afternoon, then my producer got excited and asked one of his friends Sophie Maurice to join us for the three-part choir singing. It became quite unpredictably fun while we did various takes and figured out what harmonies we should sing.”
By the time Louis added some extra electric and bass guitars, 'Forever This Way' had evolved from an idea on paper into an open, romantic, cinematic musical moment – an intimate letter once written to reflect the powerful love between two people, now able to be shared with the world.
Kim Yang plays Smith's Alternative (Canberra) on 15 February. Kim's album 'Turn On The Lights' is released 7 May.
