I have to make a confession: Kiesza is giving me so much life right now. So much life, that I’ve been slain and reborn multiple times over. Like, I’m talking more life than a cat with a GameShark. That metaphor doesn’t even make sense if you think about it too much, but you know what? I literally do not care because the only thing worth caring about right now is Kiesza.
In case that name isn’t ringing any bells, I HATE YOU SO MUCH won’t hold it against you. The 25-year-old singer-songwriter is really only just starting to make it big in the U.S., even though her breakthrough single, “Hideaway,” has been on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 for 11 weeks and even peaked at No. 6. Healthcare? Poutine? Kiesza? Canada knows what’s up.
And now, the title track off of her Hideaway EP, released July 7, has charted at #9 on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Electronic Songs, with second single “Giant In My Heart” picking up steam at #47. Its accompanying video has even been nominated for Best Choreography at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards — because sometimes we can have nice things.
Speaking of the “Hideaway” video, you have to watch it if you haven’t already. Directed by the artist herself, the clip is one continuous shot of Kiesza ~expressing herself~ as she dances down the streets of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. So dramatic. So poetic. When will Catey Shaw?
During a JUNO TV interview on the 2014 Much Music Video Awards back in June, Kiesza revealed that: “Classic ’90s House is a huge influence. I’m really influenced by the ’90s in general — and Michael Jackson.” But her throwback leanings aren’t utilized for their novelty, like on, say, Katy Perry’s “Walking On Air.” Kiesza fully commits to the genre as she lays her soul bare on the dancefloor, letting her most earnest, most vulnerable emotions spew forth.
And she somehow manages to do all that with a wordless, disyllabic chorus of “Ooh! Ahh!” What in the name of CeCe Peniston? I live.
If you can handle anymore dance-pop flawlessness for the day, check out her American network television debut on “The Late Show With David Letterman.” During the live performance, she recreates much of her “Hideaway” video step for step, before bursting forth into the New York streets to cool off in front of a gushing fire hydrant.
I personally don’t know if I can mentally/emotionally/spiritually/physically handle watching it one more time today, lest I start stripping in the streets shouting “KAI-ZAHHHHH” at the top of my lungs, but you should definitely go on without me.
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