Kayla Diamond: 50/50
Emotionally expressive vocals are complemented by imaginative production.
By Kerry Doole
Kayla Diamond - 50/50 (Slaight Music/Pheromone/Cadence): The new single from the Toronto pop singer/songwriter has burst out of the gate, notching the Top Indie Add on the DMDS/Yangaroo chart this week.
Deservedly so, for the track showcases Diamond's emotionally expressive voice in vivid fashion. The initially sparse production gradually swells in scope most effectively, so all the ingredients of a hit are in place here.
In a label press release, Diamond explains that "50/50 is a love song about you, the listener, versus a breakup song about a relationship between two people. The creation of 50/50 was a back and forth process between myself and producer Marty Martino (Honors, Down with Webster) throughout quarantine to perfect the vibe and really capture this song’s story."
"Lots of people will hear this song and think it's just about a spoiled relationship, but to me it's so much more than that. It's about recognizing that you deserve better than what you're being given and summoning the courage to remove unwanted toxicity from your life. Sometimes you need to show yourself some love, even if it means hurting someone else."
The song was written by Amanda Cygnaeus, Teodor Runsiö, Frans Torell, and Sinai Tedros, and it clearly resonated with Diamond's own emotional past. Sample lyrics: "Are you done fighting over nothin’? Cause I’m done crying over something stupid."
50/50 follows up Diamond's 2020 tracks always been you and I should have listened to my friends. Her breakthrough song, 2017's Carnival Hearts, has been streamed over 5 million times, and it was followed by a Top 10 single, the anthemic What You’re Made Of.
Of note: Diamond's recent Covid-era wedding was profiled in the Toronto Star last month.
Links
Publicity: Erin Carroll, Cadence Music Group
Agent: Kathleen Reid for Feldman Agency
Management: KL Management - Katrina Lopes
