Photo Credit: Bodi Samba
R&B artist K.ZIA released her new EP, Kintsugi Heart, not long ago, an EP flavored with tinctures of luxurious R&B, trap, and pop, taking listeners on a journey through opulent layers of music.
The Brussels-born, world-raised, Berlin and Dakar-based, singer-songwriter, and artistic director presented her debut album, Genesis, in 2022 – the beginning of an ever-evolving artistic voyage in both French and English.
Hotly tipped as one to watch in 2022, K.ZIA has already received praise from key tastemakers including Earmilk, Rolling Stone Magazine, Dummy, Enfnts Terribles, and Kaltblut Magazine. She graced the pages of style publications such as Flanelle Magazine. The music video for her single, “JFMB,” premiered on Wonderland. K.ZIA has also partnered with The Line of Best Fit for an IGTV session, as well as Majestic Casual.
Born of a Martinican father and a Belgo-Congolese mother (internationally acclaimed recording artist Zap Mama.) K.ZIA enjoyed a multicultural upbringing. In 2017, while finishing her master’s in public relations and media, she decided to move to Berlin where she started her career as an Independent Artist.
Speaking about the inspiration for Kintsugi Heart, K.ZIA says, “After struggling with depression for the first time in 2020, I embarked on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual reconnection. I traveled, practiced sports, and wrote extensively to understand my life’s purpose and spiritual state. Through these experiences, I was able to heal myself and create a potion that I hope will help others heal too. ‘Kintsugi Heart’ – from the Japanese pottery practice Kintsugi where they mend broken pieces with golden glue is a metaphor for embracing our flaws and imperfections and emerging from difficult times more beautiful with our scars. This EP is the acknowledgment of a time of deep sadness, accepting it, expressing it, and healing from it. It is a journey through love, struggle, darkness, introspection, growth, and light. It is the final burial of my depression and the Panacea to hopefully prevent another.”
Focal points on the EP encompass the first track, “Love Is,” with its exquisite intro, followed by a gentle, glowing melody riding a tasty R&B rhythm. K.ZIA’s luscious signing vocals give the lyrics gorgeous, longing textures and gossamer filaments.
“Hold On” reveals trembling, gleaming colors, along with tapping sidestick accents. The song features the voice of Zekye’, adding impassioned sonic savor of low intensity.
The title track ties the EP off with style, emphasizing the dazzling allure of K.ZIA’s voice, buffed with smooth, buttery sheens of honeyed timbres, smoldering with erotic bouquets.
Subtle yet irresistible, shimmering with low-slung R&B essence, with Kintsugi Heart, K.ZIA hits the sweet spot, delivering a spellbinding EP.
