British-born Australian artist KYE, real name Kylie Chirunga, is certainly making waves with her new single ‘Love Yourself’, out now via Sony Music Australia. The track gives us a sneak peek into her forthcoming third EP, ‘Kylie’s Rant’, which is set to drop on 22nd August.
Co-written with Johnny Took of DMA’S, ‘Love Yourself’ sees KYE embracing a fresh, guitar-driven alternative pop sound, even picking up the guitar herself for the first time. It’s a bold new direction for the artist, moving from previous upbeat offerings to something altogether more personal and revealing.
We recently caught up with KYE to chat about this exciting new chapter, delving into the inspirations behind ‘Love Yourself’ and the deeply personal journey that shaped ‘Kylie’s Rant’.
Your new single ‘Love Yourself’ is out now, leading into that highly anticipated EP. What is the core message you hope listeners take away from ‘Love Yourself’ as a standalone track, and how does it set the stage for the broader themes explored on the EP?
“’Love Yourself’ is all about shutting out the noise from the onlookers and just doing you in the most authentic way you can. The outcome is still the same whether they like you or not – so go do you. The EP really leans into that feeling as it explores defining your self-truths, growing into and accepting yourself, and just living life by your own rules.”
You've described ‘Kylie’s Rant’ as your "most personal offering yet." What aspects of your life did you draw on and how did that intention shape the songwriting process for this EP?
“This EP was born of the experiences I’ve had in, what I’ve been calling, a second coming-of-age. Turning over into my late 20s was brutal in so many ways but truly eye-opening. I wanted to bring people along on that journey with me and to be real about exactly where I am in my life. I’m exploring the world around me with a new lens, and it only felt right to let people have a peek.”
There’s a big collaborative feel to the EP, and you’ve worked with artists like G Flip, Aidan Hogg, Oscar Dawson, and Johnny Took on board. How did these collaborations contribute to the sound and depth of the EP?
“I feel like I called upon The Avengers of pop-rock with this EP. Each of these collaborators brought out that fun guitar-driven sound that I was really looking for but most of all they just gave me the space to create with no boundaries or expectations.”
Previously you’ve mentioned returning to your roots with guitar-driven moments and the vulnerability that key arrangements offer on this EP. How has revisiting your instrumental background influenced the overall sound and style content of the EP?
“It feels so good to pick up a guitar again. It really brought me back to the carefree days of writing songs as a kid with no real purpose or end goal, just for the joy of it. I think in that child-like state it’s almost easier to be vulnerable and open, your guard isn’t up so high. I had no other choice but to write something personal when all the instrumentation is so stripped back, it felt like I’d peeled the layers back sound-wise so the rest just followed.”
The EP explores various relationships – romantic, platonic, and with yourself – and emphasises that our paths in life are never set in stone. Were there any moments from your life that shaped the focus on the EP?
“I don’t think it was one singular moment but an amalgamation of lessons, highlights and pitfalls that have shaped my identity and my artistry. My frontal lobe fully formed I guess, lol.”
You've candidly discussed the industry's tendency to pigeonhole artists, especially women and Black artists. How did this awareness influence your creative choices on the EP, and what message do you hope this project sends about artistic freedom and authenticity?
“It definitely lit a fire under me to make exactly what I wanted to make without the boundaries placed on me by the expectation of others. If they’re going to pigeonhole me, why do it to myself? I hope that this EP will give other artists that feeling too.”
With your previous EP being a lot of fun and upbeat, how did you mentally and creatively transition into this new phase of writing that led to the deeply, deeply personal nature of the EP? Was there a spark behind that change?
“The transition felt really natural as I was on this journey of self -exploration and the writing just followed. It feels more like a return to self rather than a foray into something completely new.”
Beyond the music itself, what do you hope the EP shares about your journey as an artist and as an individual?
“I want this EP to be a point of connection rather than a fixed message. I hope that whoever is listening can hear the lessons I’ve learned and apply it in their own unique way. That’s the purpose I guess, to highlight our unique individual experiences, and maybe to be reminded that we’re not alone in our feelings and experiences.”
‘Kylie’s Rant’ undoubtedly promises to be KYE’s most intimate work to date, exploring themes of self-discovery, acceptance, and living life on your own terms. With collaborations from an impressive roster of artists including G Flip and Oscar Dawson, the EP delves into the complexities of relationships—be they romantic, platonic, or with oneself—and challenges the industry’s tendency to pigeonhole artists.
This collection of songs, born from a "second coming-of-age," invites listeners to connect with her experiences on a deeply personal level, offering a sense of shared understanding. KYE’s return to her instrumental roots, combined with fearless self-exploration, has resulted in a project that not only redefines her sound but also challenges the confines of artistic expectation.
You can stream KYE’s latest single ‘Love Yourself’ now and be sure to follow KYE today on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
