Drawing us in with textured drums and a soft-jazz soundscape, Caitlin Kent-Halliday opens Backwards, Baby with a nostalgic vocal and a British charm as she sings, “Don’t go backwards, baby, two steps forwards, you’re out the door, a fear builds in you like never before, they beat you down, call you insane, that is why these things have to change…”
We immediately connect with the philosophical depth of the lyrics, which resonate on both an individual and universal level. It feels like the concept is laced with metaphorical nuance, serving as a zeitgeist commentary on society as much as it is an invitation for us to push forward.
There is no doubt that fans of Lily Allen, Regina Spektor, Kate Nash, Amy Winehouse, and Eliza Doolittle would absolutely be able to connect with Backwards, Baby. The instrumentation, including a muted horns arrangement, is sublime, and we appreciate the cohesive tapestry of sound that manifests, as well as Caitlin’s delicate and ethereal vocals. We also love her aesthetic, with vintage images, an Audrey Hepburn fringe, and horns!
Speaking on the release, the rising artist from South London confesses, “I wrote Backwards, Baby in a pent up and overwhelmed state of wanting to go back to my old life, but knowing deep down that would mean losing the majority of who I’ve become.”
Caitlin adds, “Though it hurts my heart to stay away from the nostalgic parts that I miss and moulded parts of who I am; that can be blinding. You have one life, one light, why waste our life living in fear, letting others steal your light. I realised the words ‘I love you’ alone aren’t enough to excuse abuse of any kind and never will be. I’ve come too far forward to go backwards, Baby.”
We could imagine Backwards, Baby landing a sync placement in a TV show like Euphoria – perhaps a scene with Cassie after she has moved to Los Angeles, or an emotional, introspective moment in My Life with the Walter Boys.
Needless to say, we are in awe, and have added Backwards, Baby to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream Caitlin Kent-Halliday‘s debut single, Motherland.