Rating: 4/5 stars
This past Friday, Times Square was illuminated in the white light reveal of Hayley Kiyoko’s debut album, “Expectations.” The Disney “Lemonade Mouth” star has been dropping singles and EPs since “A Belle to Remember” in 2013. With an aesthetically pleasing cover and lulling opening, “Expectations (Overture),” which bares resemblance to the Electronic Duo and Purity Ring, Hayley Kiyoko creates an enticing and alluring introduction for her album.
“Feelings” is the first lyrical track of “Expectations.” Opening calmly before pouring into bass, “Feelings” is about Kiyoko being open and head over heels for another, despite the typical norms of playing hard to get. “I over-communicate and feel too much / I just complicate it when I say too much,” “I’m hooked on all these feelings / I know exactly what I’m feelin.’”
In “What I Need (feat. Kehlani),” Hayley and Kehlani alternate verses about needing their partner to fully embrace their sexuality rather than playing games. “What I need, what I need, what I need / Is for you to be sure, no no no / For you to be sure, no no no.” They both need their partner to be sure, and even if they are not committed as girlfriends, they at least need to honest about their feelings and forming relationship. When discussing the collaboration, Hayley Kiyoko said, “I’m just obsessed with Kehlani . . . If I could sing like her… We do sound really lovely together . . . She is one of the first artists to really support me . . . and that means a lot. It was such a 50/50 collab. It was just so easy and flowed so well.” With such contrasting voices. Kehlani is silky and delicate, and Hayley is gruff and rough. The two pair well together in a song for honesty.
“Curious” is a smug tale of revenge, as the music video displays. Inspired by true experiences, Kiyoko said, “I date a lot of women who are into it, but they’re uncomfortable with society’s pressures. They’re uncomfortable with liking girls even though they do.” “Curious” talks about LGBTQ+ members who date people of the opposite sex to create a veil and façade and keep their true feelings to themselves. Kioyoko’s asks throughout the song, “If you let him touch ya, touch ya, touch ya, touch ya, touch ya, touch ya (yeah) / The way I used to, used to, used to, used to, used to, used to (yeah),” and she wonders if what she had with her was real, now that she has moved on for a man. She is plainly curious and can not help but wonder and wear her heart on her sleeve while she is trying to guard herself and yet poke at revenge.
Hayley Kiyoko’s debut album “Expectations” is a West Coast, easygoing listen for most audiences. She is a hallmark for the LGBTQ+ community, and many are excited for her change of perspective to finally be taken on by a female artist, which has started to be seen in today’s pop and alternative artist like Halsey and Lauren Jauregui’s “Strangers.” With “Expectations” now on Spotify and iTunes, the new artist will be touring this summer as opening act for Panic! At The Disco’s “Pray For The Wicked” Tour. With a phenomenal and revolutionary album for recent pop music and societal norms, Kiyoko has a golden road ahead of her.
Image from Hayley Kiyoko via YouTube.com
