Drawing us in with a timeless guitar soundscape with intricate arpeggios, Karen Harding opens Stranger On A Pedestal with metaphorical prose and a flawless vocal as she sings, “I see you from a distance, you shine like a star in the sky, I wonder who you are and what it takes to be that high, I thought you were perfection, I saw a dream come true, but now you’re standing in my view…”

The opus expands with the self-realized nature that we have come to love from Karen Harding, as she comes to terms with understanding her own power, and how we can sometimes lose ourselves in idol worship. Speaking on the message of the release, the Australian songstress confesses, “Stranger On A Pedestal speaks to the point when the person you have admired from a distance becomes an actual, flawed human being.”

Karen’s mesmerizing performance blend with a simple but evocative acoustic guitar melody, vividly conveying the bittersweet understanding that even our idols are simply human. The self-produced piece, enhanced by Gabb Matos‘ exceptional guitar work, provides the perfect backdrop for Karen’s reflective and poignant lyrics.

Idol worship often elevates people to a status of near-perfection in our eyes. However, it is essential to recognize that even these idols, despite their achievements, are simply human. They face struggles, insecurities, and flaws just like anyone else. Understanding this reality is crucial for our own self-love and acceptance.

By acknowledging that our idols are not infallible, Karen’s message liberates us from unrealistic perspectives and comparisons. The song invites us to appreciate our own unique qualities, fostering a more compassionate and authentic relationship with ourselves.

Karen adds, “I wanted to get across that lightbulb moment when you finally see somebody for who they are, outside of the pedestal you’ve given them. It’s all about realising the beauty and vulnerability in our shared human experience.”

We love the depth of the message and its execution, and have added Stranger On A Pedestal to our New Music Spotlight playlist, as well as our new TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream Karen Harding‘s exquisite wider discography, including Invisible Stranger, 6 Feet Off The Floor, and Imaginary Boyfriend.

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Establishing the mood with an intimate piano performance, Karen Harding opens Invisible Stranger with an emotive narrative, as she sings the situational prose, “See me walk down the hall, I think our eyes meet, then I see.. and look over my shoulder at those big blue eyes, behind me, cos I’m invisible, Invisible Stranger…”

The opus expands with a sublime piano interlude and textured drums with layered vocal design to take us on an evocative and introspective trip through Karen’s mind. Her range on the track is exquisite, we love the emotional depth that she conveys, as well as the stunning guitar presence that emerges towards the end of the masterpiece, which taps into our heart’s centre for the final piano outro.

In Invisible Stranger, Karen Harding dramatizes the familiar moment of feeling the warmth of acknowledgment, only to realise it’s for another, not for oneself. According to the rising Australian star, the song is designed to recall “that common feeling when one is convinced that someone is waving, looking or smiling directly them, only to discover that it is directed at the person standing directly behind them.”

Invisible Stranger marks the fourth single from Karen Harding‘s highly anticipated album, Behind The Mask, which so far from what we have heard, feels like a cohesive project with a high emotional quotient.

Karen Harding burst into Melbourne’s music scene with her debut single I Didn’t Realise in May 2021. Since then, she has ventured into new musical territories by collaborating with artists and producers worldwide.

Notable achievements include winning the 2021 Bendigo Bank-sponsored Radio Eastern Songwriter Talent Show and being nominated for Top Ten Winner at the World Songwriting Awards in September 2021, as well as for Best International Artist at the Crags Radio Independent Artist Awards in February 2022. Through her music, Karen Harding invites us on a journey of self-discovery and introspection, exploring the intricacies of human emotion with poignant lyrics and a unique musical style.

We love what the talented creator manifests with her sound and energy, and have added Invisible Stranger to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our new TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream Karen’s wider discography and anticipate the release of Behind The Mask in its entirety!

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It is no secret that we are huge fans of Karen Harding, so when we heard that the talented Australian artist was back with 6 Feet Off The Floor, we were curious to say the least, and couldn’t wait to listen and share our experience.

Establishing the mood with a textured beat and immersive keys, Karen Harding opens 6 Feet Off The Floor with the introspective nature that we have come to appreciate from the philosophical artist. Karen’s conscious and uplifting energy really shines through on the self-produced track, which taps into a frequency of authenticity and self-realization.

Experiencing the philosophical energy that 6 Feet Off The Floor exudes, stimulates our thoughts, evokes deep rooted emotions, and provides a sense of perspective and self-reflection. 6 Feet Off The Floor taps into complex themes such as existentialism, purpose, and the human condition. By grappling with profound themes presented in the lyrics, we are invited to develop a greater capacity for emotional regulation and self-awareness.

Whilst the opus tackles weighty topics, and an opposing metaphor for being “six feet under”, it also serves as a form of escape and optimistic distraction from everyday stressors. Immersing ourselves in Karen Harding‘s universe allows our minds to wander through prophetic musings, which provides relief from anxiety and rumination. All in all, we find solace and peace when experiencing 6 Feet Off The Floor.

Speaking on the overarching message of 6 Feet Off The Floor, Karen confesses, “The song urges listeners to rise above and embrace their worries and find perspective in the midst of life’s passing challenges. It offers a message of positivity and resilience.”

We love the intentional nature with which Karen Harding creates, and have added 6 Feet Off The Floor to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our brand new TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream Karen’s wider discography, and anticipate future releases from the star, including her upcoming album, Behind the Mask!

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Establishing the mood with an atmospheric piano performance, Karen Harding opens Judge You with situational yet metaphorical prose as she sings, “Saw you run the other way, why are you running, I’ll be where you lay… If we can just walk together, we will be in harmony…”

The opus expands with the title of the track as Karen showcases her flawless range and ethereal energy. We particularly connect with the relatable message of the song, which can be interpreted on an individual level, but also on a more holistic societal frequency, as Karen’s words feel prophetic and zeitgeist with reference to the state of humanity. Soft 80s style drums draw us in further, as Karen continues to share her soul with a raw authenticity, fused with an emotive, astral strings arrangement which tugs on our heart strings.

Judge You marks the sophomore single release from Karen Harding’s upcoming album, Behind The Mask. The talented songstress confesses how the emotionally powerful ballad is designed to explore our inner workings – “specifically how self-judgment affects us as individuals, while at the same time revealing our protective mechanisms at play behind such internal dialogues.”

Karen elaborates, “Lyrically, it delves into the paradoxical nature of self-judgment—that it serves as a useful defence against external criticism while also needing the release of negative internal narratives that hinder individual growth.”

The composition was created with the support of producer, Daniel Nieberg, and results in a cohesive tapestry of sound, intentionally fabricated to evoke an emotion aligned with Karen’s lyricism. It is no surprise that Karen has been the recipient of notable awards including winning the 2021 Bendigo Bank-sponsored Radio Eastern Songwriter Talent Show; being nominated as a Top Ten Winner at World Songwriting Awards in September 2021 and Best International Artist at Crags Radio Independent Artist Awards held February 2022. 

We love what Karen Harding creates, and have added Judge You to our New Music Spotlight playlist, whilst we continue to stream her expansive discography including Brave, and Insane For A Moment, and anticipate future releases from the talented creator.

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Til The Ocean Meets The Shore opens with dimensional acoustic guitar as Karen sings introspectively, “I spent so long, hiding from myself, I put my fears upon the upper shelf…”

We learn that Til The Ocean Meets The Shore was written during the Melbourne, Australia pandemic lockdowns, and is a deeply reflective story that dives into “challenges felt and a realisation of how far we have come, and the determination that we can truly achieve anything we put our mind to, if we do not give in.”

Karen Harding always shares her message with authenticity and poetic prowess, and Til The Ocean Meets The Shore is no different. We appreciate the depth and vulnerability of her artistry, and love the immersive soundscape that she creates with her being and soul.

The four track EP, I’ve Got A Secret is being released one single at a time, each month, and will be available in its entirety by October 2022. The EP will be available for purchase via Bandcamp in digital download and CD formats.

Building her repertoire, with six single releases under her belt, Karen has been steadily growing her following and name, having won the November 2021 Bendigo Bank sponsored Independent Songwriter Talent Show on Radio Eastern FM in Melbourne, Australia, for her single, Anxiety, Top 10 winner for the World Songwriting Awards, for her single, Something Special and a nominee for Best International Artist on Crags Radio Independent Artist Awards in February 2022. 

We love the vibe that Karen shares, and Til The Ocean Meets The Shore is another masterpiece which channels the unrivalled genuine energy that Karen shares with her sound. We have added the song to our New Music Spotlight playlist, whilst we continue to stream Karen Harding‘s wider discography and anticipate the release of the EP!

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Knowing that love is the shortcut to world peace, we can’t get enough of meaningful and profound songs that feature love energy and particularly self love as the protagonist.

Australia’s Karen Harding has just released the self-produced single, Something Special. Released just in time for Valentine’s day the song has a clear message and nostalgic production.

Speaking on the track, Harding says, “I am really excited to share this track as it was a last minute addition while I’m in the process of recording my EP.”

Lyrical highlights includes the profound and touching, ” I know you cannot see what you do mean to me, I know you’re really something special“, “Oh I want you to see, and you will be set free, I know, you’re something really special.”

Something Special follows on from the success of Harding’s first three releases, I Didn’t Realise, I Heard Somebody Talking and Anxiety.

Speaking further on the track, Harding says, “Something Special is a song written as a conversation to an individual who cannot see how special and valuable they are. They are riddled with self-doubt and low self-esteem. From the outside, the writer wants to tell them how much they are truly appreciated and how special they are.” We love that energy!

“I wanted to portray a sense of freedom and gratitude within the song and felt that nothing felt more like freedom than the sound of the ocean waves rolling in.. If you listen carefully, you can hear this subtly throughout the song.”

Mastered by Pivotal Music’s Joshua Hennessy, ‘Something Special’ is Karen Harding’s first fully self-recorded and produced release. 

With music ranging from the singer/songwriter genre to indie pop, Karen Harding’s alluring vocals can be likened to the emotive sounds of Sarah McLaughlin, Sara Bareilles or Eva Cassidy or the more pop based feel of Gabrielle Aplin, Adele and Ella Henderson.

Karen Harding’s music has also had recent attention and plays on Bree Noble’s ‘Women of Substance’ podcast, online radio shows including ‘Good Music Radio’, ‘DTong Radio’, ‘382 Radio’, ‘Eagles Nest Radio’ and ‘Oz Now Radio’ and has been gaining attention through her plays on local Australian community radio.

Stay tuned for Karen Harding’s upcoming EP release, due to be announced over the coming months. In the meantime, you can stream her discography!

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