Kiéla Adira has long been embedded in the local Chicago music scene, from collaborating with and performing backup vocals for Ric Wilson over the years to singing at the inauguration of the city’s previous mayor. Yet it wasn’t until this summer that Adira stepped out on her own with her debut solo EP GROWTH., which she’s already following up in a few weeks with another new collection of jazz-tinged R&B songs titled Fool’s Croon. As she explains with regard to the new EP’s lead single “Respite,” the solo endeavor permits her to explore more personal themes in her music than what she’s used to, in this case mulling over the complexities of a relationship gone bad.
“‘Respite,' and the entire EP, has allowed me to step outside my comfort zone and tap into a more vulnerable side of myself that I don’t generally display publicly,” she confirms. “This beautifully written composition and story by Jeoffrey Arrington, on the surface is about seeking respite in a time of trouble, but goes much deeper into reflecting the complexities of a toxic relationship. ‘Respite’ is a track that I can play on repeat, uncovering something new with every listen.”
The whole EP was crafted in collaboration with Arrington and his brother Judah, and the lead track promises more impressive vocal performances backed by intriguing orchestral atmospherics. Check it out below, and pre-order the EP before it arrives November 10 here.
