Single Review: Chasin’

It’s easy to sell Auckland R&B artist KRISTIN off her voice alone. Smooth as honey, expressive and attention-commanding, it’s a talent which has recently landed her in the cast of Australia’s Hairspray The Musical, and on the NZ Hot Singles chart with previous release Seasons. Her new single Chasin’ is a slow, sultry ode to a first date which she prays won’t be the last.

Orchestral flourishes and blossoming vocals introduce Chasin’, immediately showcasing KRISTIN and producer Will Henderson’s ear for fitting, full instrumentals. But there’s even more magic to the songwriting. Multiple hooks flow through the track, from the dreamy ad-libs in its opening moments then buried beneath the song, to KRISTN’s desperate repeating call of “don’t you wanna be happy?” All of these different elements could become overwhelming, but somehow KRISTN accomplishes the opposite, giving the listener plenty to latch onto, whilst keeping this familiarity surprisingly fresh.

The track is hugely dynamic, with a beautiful build from the pre-chorus to chorus that demands focus on those bombastic melodies. This also emphasises KRISTIN’s lyrics, which are simple but heartfelt, craving love from someone she knows is likely unattainable. Her chorus could be developed to feel more complete, or perhaps the title instead renamed after a more significant phrase in the song, but these are minor issues when the track is otherwise so polished.

KRISTIN’s Chasin’ is flirtatious, youthful, seductive, dreamy, and everything in between. It’s an impressive release that demands all eyes on this emerging Kiwi act.