The six-track record was released on March 22 via Atlantic Records and includes the whispered frenzy of “Feels” and the regret-tinged "Intention," is a cohesive set that serves as an intro to the singer. The Kiiara we meet is not afraid to speak her mind, be it self-assuredly shaking off naysayers or leaving the party without ever letting him know.
This cool confidence was present when the 21-year-old Oak Lawn, Ill. native visited iHeartRadio HQ in New York City for an exclusive interview, chatting about "Gold," low kii savage, and what we can expect from her debut album in an installment of In Her Words.
On How She Wrote "Gold"
"It went through three versions, so guitar and then I worked with Felix [Snow] and we made a down-tempo, just a vibe out of it. And then another buddy of mine, we just went and polished it up and made what everyone hears today."
On What Her Typical Writing Process For Songs Is Like
"... I’ll initially freestyle melodies or even words and stuff and then eliminate and polish and stuff like that … Right now, I've been [starting with] a lot of melodies. Just starting with that. Sometimes words, sometimes I’ll have a concept, but I rarely ever have one."
On Creating The Treatment For The "Gold" Music Video
"[It was] not really intimidating. I just wanted it — I’m a perfectionist, so I wanted it exactly how I saw it in my mind, so that was kind of frustrating. It was really dope being able to be like 'I want this. I want this mood and this atmosphere’ and all that."
On The Story Behind Making "Intention"
"That one, I was working with these producers, Casper & B, and when we made that song was the day I met them. So they’re like, 'Okay, go on the mic and freestyle.' And the mic was right in front of them, too. So they were staring at me and I just met them and I had to speak my mind, right in front of them. Like, they're going to think I’m crazy or never going to want to talk to me again. But we ended up being best friends and all that. That one just sort of happened on the fly. Some of the verses we didn’t even recut. We’re just like, 'Let’s just keep them. Whatever.'"
On Her Debut Album
"It should be a majority of new songs, I believe. Maybe 'Gold' and 'Feels' might be on it. I don’t really know how that works. We have like 50 songs stacked that I can go through and pick which ones. So we’re finishing up that and polishing up that, but I also want to cut — there's a ton more I want to cut. From now to January, I could have another 50 songs. It could completely change."