At only 20 years old electro-pop newcomer Kiiara is certainly valiant. Fully aware of who she is and where she’s from, the rising singer-songwriter’s debut EP has garnered a sizeable fan base and the attention of critics everywhere. Like the love child of FKA twigs and The Weeknd, Kiiara’s sound is as compelling as it is incomparable.

On her debut EP, “low kii savage,” Kiiara’s attempt at carving out her own corner in the music industry is commendable and wholly successful. By far one of the greatest releases so far this year, “low kii savage” is a danceable blend of true artistry and unflinching.

The debut track off of the EP is “Gold.” Cutting through looping synths, Kiiara’s whispering vocals culminate into a track that is impressively edgy. Similar to the progressively electronic sound of Swedish exports like Seinabo Sey, Kiiara’s “Gold” is a perfect exemplification of the changing music industry.

The second track off of “low kii savage,” titled “Feels,” is sure to give the feels to audiences regardless of genre persuasion. Like a drive down a long stretch of flatlands, the melodic simplicity of “Feels” is never disturbed and never distracted. It is the type of track that plays so easily and so seamlessly that at its conclusion, listeners will have been so engrossed that they will have hardly noticed a loss of time. “Feels” is a song that audiences can lose themselves into.

Tracks like “Say Anymore,” “Tennessee,” and “Hang up tha Phone” continue the heavily computerized style so particular to Kiiara, while still being able to differentiate themselves enough to stand out. For “Say Anymore” this individualization characterizes itself through poignantly sharp instrumentals and hip-hop inflected vocals, while on “Tennessee” the compelling lyrical and composition arrangements shine through. By scaling production back, Kiiara’s “Hang up tha Phone” becomes the most emotive and quiet track off of the EP.

On “Intention,” Kiiara provides her most pop-driven endeavor. More Selena Gomez than underground-electronic, “Intention” offers radio-friendly qualities while still maintaining a certain sense of autonomy. With all of the intention in the world, “Intention,” paces with heavy beats and amazing hooks making it the most earworm track off of “low kii savage.”

Kiiara’s future is bright. Signed on to play at Lollapalooza and with tour dates alongside AlunaGeorge, Kiiara’s debut EP could not have come at a better time. While the Illinois native may have started her livelihood as a hardware store clerk, it is more than definitely not something she will be able to return to easily because like the lead single, “low kii savage” is absolute, shimmering gold.
Rating: 4 out of 5