Kat Cunning’s foray into music couldn’t be off to a more splendid beginning--the acoustic version of her single ‘For the Love’ sheds new light into the wonders of the original mix, which Billboard hailed as a "rallying cry for hope and strength in the face of adversity".

‘For the Love’ is a powerful ballad delving into themes of queerness, parenthood, and acceptance, and ultimately packs an emotional wallop in terms of how it invokes the dynamics of a unique but everlasting mother-daughter relationship. The lyrics are poetic, earnest and measured, pointing to Cunning’s intuitive hand at crafting stories out of her music. 

The acoustic version brings out the delicate, simplistic nature of the song whereas the original was powered by buoyant piano chords as well as a slight electropop feel, as evident by Cunning’s light, gentle voice. Her vocals are raw yet empowering, their raspiness adding an extra layer of honesty into the meanings. The lyrics similarly pack a punch, direct yet compelling, as the listeners can really relate to the ‘love is a mess’ verse. Kat Cunning’s songs have been featured in her show Trinkets so far, so her success at these streaming platforms will determine whether she will go on to develop and produce her own album in the coming year. At the moment, she has got her hands full with a series of roles on both television and film. 

Yet she seems excited to be part of the music industry. She says:

It’s so hard to describe yourself but I’m often compared to vocalists like Florence and The Machine and Fiona Apple. I think it’s less about how I sound and more about the feel of the music. I write songs that mean something to me and I put my heart into them.”

With such a strong sense of her musical identity, Cunning should have no trouble in creating her persona for upcoming music projects. She is true to herself and those around her, so her music will continue to be as uplifting as her soul.

 Alternative     Indie