Kate Keller’s song Whiplash is a bit of an oxymoron. The music sounds a bit like a love story, but the lyrics serve as a warning to anyone in danger of falling victim to summer love.
It’s a little confusing, mainly because Kate’s personality and stage presence seem to be one of a sensual free-spirited youth living in New York. You’d think a talented young artist with a killer voice would have a more optimistic outlook.
But maybe the message here is that book’s can’t be judged by covers; that people really are complex emotional creatures that often project personalities that don’t align with their inner thoughts and conflicts.
“Just a queens gal singing uptempo sad songs.” Indeed, there seems to be a self-awareness for the contradictory nature of this song (and Kate’s discography). But what’s so concerning is that it also contradicts the image of Kate Keller; of the social media, of the profile pictures. The confidence and optimism in the media is decisively not there in the lyrics.
Look, this is a great track. It’s recorded, performed, and sung really, really well. But I think there is a complicated darkness and deeper message rooted in Kate’s art. Check it out in Spotify and anywhere else you can find it, but make sure to give it the attention and reflection it deserves.
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About the Author
Music fan since circa 2017. Couple of degrees from The University of Virginia. Got a band too! But I’m not here to talk about that. I’m here to help you find your next favorite tracks and albums. Check out my articles if you need a quick pitch.
