K.ZIA – ‘Kintsugi Heart’ [EP] [Album Review]

Brussels-born, world-raised, Berlin and Dakar-based singer-songwriter K.ZIA recently released her new EP, Kintsugi Heart, a collection of songs about self-love, community, and spirituality.

K.ZIA explains, “After struggling with depression for the first time in 2020, I embarked on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual reconnection. I traveled, practiced sports, and wrote extensively to understand my life’s purpose and spiritual state. This EP is the acknowledgment of a time of deep sadness, accepting it, expressing it, and healing from it.”

The title – Kintsugi Heart – reflects the Japanese art of restoring broken pottery with gold, symbolizing acknowledging flaws and imperfections, yet materializing even more comely after reparation.

Since releasing her debut EP, Red, in 2018, K.ZIA has shared the stage with artists such as Sampa The Great, Omar Lyefook, Tayla Parx, Kota the Friend, and Shaggy, as well as headlining performances.

Entry points on Kintsugi Heart include the opening track, “Love Is,” a low-slung, creamy R&B song highlighted by K.ZIA’s warm, voluptuous voice, breathy with subtle timbres.

“Hold On,” featuring Zekye’, merges tinges of pop, trap, and delicious R&B into a shimmering, sparkling melody atop a weightless trap rhythm as soft, tender vocals imbue the lyrics with warm tones.

K.ZIA, photo by Bodi Samba

With its syncopated rhythm, the title track allows K.ZIA to exercise the superb drift and flow of her plush voice, riding over harmonic notes of R&B amalgamated with sophisti-pop, flavoured with hints of hip-hop.

Permeated with suffusions of pensive hues yet never falling into the abyss of melancholy, Kintsugi Heart offers lush, silky soundscapes.

Kintsugi Heart Track Listing:

1. Love Is
2. Hold On
3. Pressure
4. Rise
5. Trust
6. Kintsugi Heart

Run Time: 17:13
Release Date: June 2, 2023
Record Label: Independent