Single Review: Self Defense by Kayla Oh
Review by Isabelle Turner
The newest single “Self Defense” by Kayla Oh is a stunning and heartwarming piece that is full of emotion. The rising singer-songwriter has poured her entire heart into this piece, making it an immensely memorable one.
If you haven’t yet heard of Kayla Oh, be prepared to have your world changed. An artist based out of New York city, she is defined by her beautiful lyrics and even more stunning voice. Gentle, yet powerful, she has already released one single, “See Through” in October 2023. With her second single “Self Defense”, Kayla continues to prove that she is your new favorite artist.
“Self Defense” is centered around a stunning acoustic backing on guitar. Her simple and quaint production with lyrics that are vulnerable, heavy hitting, and beautiful makes for an incredible mix. The song is about reflecting on a relationship when you are a bit older and a whole lot wiser. Kayla explores themes of what a heathy relationship means and how she has been mistaken by the past. She puts her experiences into words, creating a beautiful rendition of a universal topic. With “Self Defense” Kayla Oh finds herself capturing authenticity and melancholy in a beautiful manner. Kayla Oh is not just a beautiful lyricist, but she is a powerful storyteller. She provides invaluable details like “Christmas Day on the river”, which paints a vivid memory for Kayla and her audience. The song reeks of power and creates a cathartic track. Many of her lyrics are filled with anger, meaning to be screamed along to in the car. She uses hyper-specific lyrics to speak to the larger idea of terrible relationships and the pain that can stem from the. The song is accompanied by a music video that is beautiful and the perfect fit to the track. The simple imagery and black and white visuals make it impossible to not feel moved by her raw vocals. The video is a bit haunting, allowing her voice to shine and give the music a deeper meaning. It is clear that Kayla’s vision has come out perfectly in her imagery. The cathartic nature of the track is mesmerizing and shows the incredible power that Kayla Oh has as she continues to rise in the music industry.
If you haven’t yet listened to “Self Defense”, we highly recommend giving it a chance. It is a beautiful track that is sure to help you fall in love with the powerful world of Kayla Oh.
Stream “Self Defense” here and you can check out more from Kayla Oh here!