Teen wunderkind Kaiyah Mercedes is back with a gorgeous new single “If We Never Speak Again.” Now 17, Kaiyah shows she’s going from strength to strength since releasing her first album last year.
“‘If We Never Speak Again’ was written as a voicemail to express all my unsaid feelings about another person,” she explained. “I wrote the lyrics about my experiences but couldn’t think of anything for the bridge except a voicemail. This evolved into the chaotic soundscape you hear in the track’s bridge today and symbolises that feeling of helplessness and not knowing if that person will respond or even hear the message at all.”
Kaiyah says that the queer community has “Been a huge part of my self-discovery and as an LGBTQIA+ artist, my songwriting is a pure expression of the growth and confidence in myself to be who I truly am. Although I write sad songs, my aim is to connect with others through my deep and emotional lyrics, with an intent to support others through life’s struggles. I often write about grief, mental health, heartbreak and longing, all very relatable experiences.”
You can see Kaiyah making music at Bonbeach Farmers Market at Bonbeach Primary School, Bunurong Country/Bonbeach, on April 14.
Image used with permission from Good Intent