UK neo-soul singer Kianja‘s latest EP, Chapter Three, is a four-track showcase of her musical influences. The East London artist is not a total newcomer though. For the past few years, she has captivated us with her 70s-inspired sound and powerful voice. Chapter Three continues this rich and emotion-driven style.

The first track “Ever Since You Went Away” is an overly affecting piece. Kianja rues getting separated from someone who was her source of warmth and safety.

That smooth delivery is maintained on “Fear”. This reggae-influenced groovy tune retains the moody vibe of the first track, yet it feels quite uplifting.

“Leave Me Behind” — already shared here — delves into an uncommon topic as Kianja vulnerably expresses what it feels like dating an older person. She shares, “Sometimes it felt like I was playing catch up though, I couldn’t make up for the years of experience he had. I knew I needed to do a lot more work on myself and heal from past traumas.”

The jazz-influenced fourth track called “Lost In You” is a great way to close the EP. While it feels upbeat, it discusses something profound: what commitment to a relationship sometimes does to a woman’s sense of expression and freedom.

“I’m really proud of this project and I feel very lucky to have had some great musicians and engineers bring it to life. I’m so grateful that I can use music to make sense of my emotions and express myself freely. I laid my soul bare in every song and I hope somebody, somewhere can hold on to one and feel less alone,” remarks Kianja.

Chapter Three flows nicely from one song to the next. It points to an artist who is now comfortable not just with herself but also with her creative process.

Follow Kianja on Instagram and ensure you listen to every track to get the full experience.

This review was made possible by SubmitHub