Artist: Layla
Title: Kindness
Genre(s): Pop, Pop Rock, Slacker Rock
Length: 3:14
Writer(s): L.Sanchez
Producer(s): Moon Honeywell
Label: Five Pesky Kids
From The Album: The Human Experience
INFORMATION"Kindness" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Layla. It serves as the fourth single from her upcoming, second studio album tentatively titled "The Human Experience" which is due for release later this year. The song was released on November 20, 2024 alongside the official announcement and the pre-order link for its parent album. It follows on from the release of "Coping Mechanism", her chart-topping, critically acclaimed collaboration with close friend Ellie-Grace Summers. The track was written solely by herself in the spring of 2024. "Kindness" was produced by Moon Honeywell, an up and coming writer and record producer. The song was birthed from an "off the dome" session between Sanchez and Honeywell whilst in the studio together, with Layla spontaneously creating lyrics in the booth to an impromptu riff played by Moon.
Lyrically, "Kindness" is a tongue-in-cheek swipe at the public persona the media have built up for her in regards to her love life and "bad decisions". Similarly to previous release, "Coping Mechanism", Layla portrays an embellished, fictionalised version of herself. This time she takes on the role of a doe-eyed, somewhat sociopathic woman who genuinely believes in her own lie, with the falsehood being that she's providing comfort and friendship to a heartbroken man rather than taking advantage of the situation. She dubs her ulterior motives as "kindness" and believes that those who do not support her actions are simply negative, non-charitable people who do not wish to make the world a better place. During the creation of the song, Layla specified that she wanted the persona to "unravel" further and further as the song progresses. She begins playing more coyly in the opening verse;
"We probably shouldn't meet up again", as opposed to more blatant advances in regards to sex in the song's bridge;
"Let's paint a Botticelli in the dark" - Botticelli being a famous Italian painter from the Early Renaissance who was known for many nude pieces.
"Kindness" is an upbeat pop-rock song that has a total runtime of 3 minutes and 14 seconds. It has also been described by some as "slacker rock" and "indie rock". Many critics have praised its "instant mass appeal" as Layla and producer Moon Honeywell "borrowed" elements from many genres such as pop, rock, country and disco to create an uptempo, catchy track that utilises many live instruments while still maintaining a "sweet", "polished" edge that plays well for TV and radio.
SONG COMMENTARYQuote:"This song was born pretty much off-the-cuff which I've found is how the songs I'm most proud of an excited about come to be. Moon and I were just batting ideas around in the studio. He started playing this riff and I literally jumped out of my chair! It was so freaking good and instantly familiar. Sometimes things take a minute for the ears and mind to get around but this little groovy tune he was banging out just sounded so classic straight away. Something right out of an amazing 90's movie soundtrack. I was instantly thinking of Divinyls on stuff like that. For the longest time after we cut the record, I was still searching and investigating because I did NOT want us to be plagiarising, haha! But yeah, it was such a great session. We'd stop and start, giving each other little suggestions where to take it when we resumed and before we knew it, we had this crazy, dumbass storyline!"
"I think it's really fun to play a character or embellish on something, taking it to unbelievable extremes while still rooting it in some truth. It feels very therapeutic and almost like an armour. Being able to tackle and release something without having to go down the bleeding hearts road in front of the court of public opinion is so freeing. People have made jibes at my love life and terrible decisions many times over the years. Heck, I do it myself! This was a kinda fun, jokey way to approach it. At its core, there's a kernel of truth; I make very unwise decisions, but then it just snowballed into this story of a woman so desperate for love that she'll defy all logic. The scenario and mindset in the song is all scripted but I still see myself in her. I'll willingly blur out some home truths in order to feel safe. Of course, that only gets you so far and isn't good for anybody in the end."
"I'm happy to have fun with my music and I'm not afraid to play the villain of the piece. Though, I don't think the girl in this song is villainous. On a surface level, yeah, she's...she's uh, a little unhinged, shall we say? But there's a sadness and loneliness there. A desire to please and to feel wanted. Though, sometimes it's easier to portray yourself as the bad guy in order to avoid showing vulnerability. That's my whole takeaway from the track at least. Really curious and excited to hear what others think!"
CRITICAL RECEPTIONCritical reception of "Kindness" has been positive upon the song's initial release with many reviewers lauding Sanchez' evolving, maturing image. Online music magazine
Consequence awarded it "Song of the Week", describing it as
"a punchy pop anthem for the sexual freaks of the world with a meaner, heavier hook than Tyson". Khaled Miah of
Slant Magazine branded the song as
"another sure-fire hit" and praised the composition, writing;
"Layla sounds simultaneously breezier yet more heavy-hitting than ever as she rocks out with her delusions against a crisp, electrifying guitar-laden pop stomping backdrop." Vulture's Lilly Alcorn remarked that the song's lyrical content was
"deliciously deluded" and claimed that
"Layla's reinvention from oversized bow-wearing girl-next-door to pop's sexually frustrated anti-hero is one for the history books". Daisy Manning from Pitchfork praised the
"chaotic" writing and
"coquettish" delivery of the track, opining;
Pop, at its core is meant to be fun and all about escapism and if it's one thing Layla has learned to do in her solo career, it's paint an extremely vivid picture - fancy making a Botticelli in the dark, anyone?". Manning rounded off her review by praising Sanchez's
"fearlessness" when it comes to portraying herself as the
"antagonist" in her own work, stating that
"Honesty is indeed appreciated within music and art but when it becomes very self-indulgent and 'woe is me', replay value diminishes. We can always trust Layla to drop a bombshell of a lyrical scenario on us to prick up our collective ears. Often being backed with some of the whimsically likeable melodies and production also helps aid her mass appeal."
"KINDNESS"We probably shouldn't meet up again
But you seem like you could use a shoulder
Perhaps leave alcohol out the equation?
Though heart to hearts are harder when sober
I can't believe you picked this bar
Must remember that scenario, right?
It's growing dark and you live quite far
Think it's best you stay the night
I put it down to those pesky little bubbles
Waiving away all the responsibility
I'm a good girl, I don't look for trouble
I swear that sucker looks for me
Well, excuse a girl for caring
That passion runs more than skin deep
I'm sure that this kindness will be the death of me
An ear for your confessions
Ain't my fault where that might lead
Damn, this kindness will be the death of meShe broke your heart, well fuck her
Fuck her and her legs that rise up to here
You're way too precious to cry and suffer
Lay your head on my chest, baby, feel no fear
I could go ahead and make my excuses
Leave you all lonesome amongst birds of prey
But I'll stick around to help you through this
To Hell with what the neighbors say
I'm not one for painting any illusions
I deal with facts, and it's his hour of need
Don't know why there's any confusion
Mother Teresa ain't got a thing on me
Well, excuse a girl for caring
That passion runs more than skin deep
I'm sure that this kindness will be the death of me
An ear for your confessions
Ain't my fault where that might lead
Damn, this kindness will be the death of meHearsay and whispers, so pathetic
They don't align with my aesthetic
Who cares about logic? Y'all just bend it
Modern day saint with none of the credit
I'm just out here bringing peace!
Drying eyes and mending hearts
I'll be the muse, I'll be the counterpart
Let's paint a Botticelli in the dark
God, sue me, for reviving a lost art
This kindness will be the death of me!
Well, excuse a girl for caring
That passion runs more than skin deep
I'm sure that this kindness will be the death of me
An ear for your confessions
Ain't my fault where that might lead
Damn, this kindness will be the death of meWell, excuse a girl for caring
That passion runs more than skin deep
I'm sure that this kindness will be the death of me
An ear for your confessions
Ain't my fault where that might lead
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