Sydney songwriter going by the simple name Kel is a bit of a prodigy based on the evidence of his debut single ‘Paradise’. With deeply moving vocals delivering a yearning cinematic ballad, Kel has seemingly captured the bright blue cloudless skies above Australia and wrapped them up in a bittersweet paean to the mutability of life and the transience of happiness.
Kel says of the track:
‘Paradise’ is a song about a break-up. It’s a metaphor about losing something special about a place you might’ve shared with someone else, and how places and feelings change sometimes. It was inspired by a trip with my friends to a beach on the South Coast NSW. I wanted to write a song that felt like that place.
The emotions seep through every note and pour out into the universe with a heartbreaking veracity that one would expect from someone far more travel-worn than Kel. And this is indeed his skill – an ability to show a maturity far beyond his years in a song that captures universal emotions of heartbreak.
The accompanying self-directed video is further evidence of this artist’s creative skills. Simply capturing a performance of the song, the main protagonist becomes the surrounding environment – wild and beautiful while Kel is a minor feature often close up and slightly blurred – and overwhelmed by the scenery.
‘Paradise’ was produced by the legendary John Castle, whose previous work includes Vance Joy’s Riptide as well as work with Megan Washington, Angus & Julia Stone, and Cub Sport. The single is out now and available to stream here and through all the usual download and streaming sites.
Kel will be launching the single tonight in Sydney – tickets available here and details below.
Feature Photograph: Sian Sandilands
