Grace Kay on the Pains of Growing Apart with “overgrown” 
(4 May 2022)

Grace Kay releases her new single “overgrown,” available May 4th on Digital Formats via Trailing Twelve Records.

Los Angeles-based songstress Grace Kay shares her bittersweet ballad “overgrown,” set for digital release on May 4th through Trailing Twelve Records. As a follow up to Kay’s lush dream-pop gem “Here,” her new song “overgrown” utilizes a subdued and emotive soundscape to set the backdrop for poignant reflections on heartbreak caused by falling out of friendship.

While Kay’s previous single “Here” explored the deep bonds that form lifelong friendships, “overgrown” looks at what happens when friends outgrow each other. Kay’s songwriting on “overgrown” is both specific and poetic, logging personal details “My Aries heart is a simple one / We don’t need to have so much in common” with rich metaphors “I’ll offer you my light for tomorrow / But I think I overwatered your soil.” Kay shares the inspiration for “overgrown” below.

Falling out of a friendship can be more heartbreaking than ending a romantic relationship. But, unlike exes who I never want to think of again, I will always feel a deep sense of love for old friends. "overgrown" is about that bittersweetness that will always haunt my heart.

Kay worked with her creative partner, LA-based producer, Jynjo aka Austin Foley, to create the soundscape of “overgrown.” Initially written and arranged by Kay on a grand piano, Foley crafted a buoyant and flowing ballad with just enough ear candy to keep the progression dynamic and evolving. Deep-sea bass wobbles below Kay’s immediate vocal while syncopated percussions ripples along the edges of the mix. The chorus dives underwater with low-pass synths that bubble and circle around Kay’s undulating adlibs.

After nearly two years of sitting on the production, Kay was compelled to return to the song and record final vocals at the start of 2022.

Just as gardens can become overgrown, we can outgrow childhood friends and behaviors. If you don’t have room to fit all the flowers in your garden, you have to start trimming and grooming. Truthfully, this has been the hardest thing I’ve ever had to learn for myself. I want to extend every inch of myself to so many people but we have limits, and we’re allowed to change and set boundaries.

In the intimate final moments of “overgrown,” all of the production fades out save for a lone grand piano, providing a sense of gravitas for Kay’s final passage “It seems like there was some fabrication / Seems like we got lost in translation.“ Immediately following the lyrics, the piano resolve to an unexpected jazz chord, acting in direct contrast to the rest of the production and serving as a musical metaphor for the changes of two people who have outgrown their past.

While it’s painful to lose a friend and lose touch, the song is still bittersweet: change is part of being human. It certainly doesn’t have to mean a burned bridge, just a less traversed one, and those have the most character.

“overgrown” is out May 4th, 2022 on Digital Formats via Trailing Twelve.

Written & Performed by Grace Kay
Produced, Mixed, Mastered by Austin Foley

Press Photos by Danika Karolinski
Press Contact: trailingtwelve@gmail.com

TTRS-057
© & ℗ 2022 Trailing Twelve Records. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized Copying, Reproduction, Hiring, Lending, Public Performance, And Broadcasting Strictly Prohibited.

GRACE KAY - overgrown
TTRS-057
Released 4 May 2022
Length: 3:13

Socials: instagram / tiktok / facebook / twitter

BIO

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Grace Kay spent her teenage years attending an all-girls high school where she was imbued with a keen desire to empower other women. Bringing that passion into her music, Kay’s songwriting tends to center around the women in her life and the influences they’ve had on her.

After graduating from the University of Southern California with a degree in acting, Kay went on to star in various short films and mini-series, which, she explains, taught her the importance of story in songwriting.

Grace Kay’s sound consists of refined and punchy synth-pop production, syncopated rhythms, and lush vocal textures that will please fans of MUNA, The Japanese House, Imogen Heap, and Caroline Polachek.

Kay’s recent singles have received widespread fan support, garnering press coverage from Atwood Magazine and Alfitude and official playlist features on Spotify’s Fresh Finds and Fresh Finds: Pop.

PRESS QUOTES

“Kay is already well on her way to conquering the electropop world with the upbeat syncopation of her previous singles “play” and “fool” (plus one hell of a slowed and contemplative take on ABBA’s “Dancing Queen”). With “Here,” she trades the playful tones and club-ready production for hazy, nostalgic soundscapes reminiscent of M83 at their deepest rearview-gazing.” - Anthony Kozlowski, Atwood Magazine

“Every element has a purpose. The song features minimalistic melodies, sublime vocals, and a memorable chorus. Captivating from the first second.” , “Grace continues to deliver good music. Go Off deserves 5 stars. Iconic piece of work.” - Lefuturewave

“If you know me then you know I love records influenced by the 80s. “Here” by Grace Kay is no exception. I love the production, the guitars, the synths, the melodies, the beautiful topic behind this song and Grace’s dreamy vocals. “Here” is brilliant and it is one of my favorite songs released this Fall.” - thread. Magazine