The fact that KINLEY’s newest album is self-titled feels very intentional. It’s obvious that singer/songwriter Kinley Dowling pours herself into every song she writes. The stories she deals with are clearly very personal, with little room for ambiguity. However, she sings with such clarity and such carefully chosen words that you can’t help but find a way to relate.
Dowling has no room for filler on this album. There isn’t a single word out of place, every line like a sharp, careful stab to the heart. With only eight tracks, Dowling has little time to make her points clear. She succeeds in skillfully doing so – everything has a purpose. She knows just the right pieces to thread together for a truly impactful song.
“Take It From Me” is a brutally honest track about playing the part of the proverbial “other woman”. Dowling doesn’t particularly villainize anyone on this track – not the man who strung her along, not even herself. She handles the experience with immense care, treating it with the complexity and realism it deserves. Anyone from a small town will likely relate heavily to the feeling of being unable to escape from your problems. The optimism with which she writes about this – and any of the troubling moments in her life – is a remarkable insight on her character.
That spark of positivity never wavers. Even when Dowling is taking time to dissect the things that potentially cause stress in her life, there’s always an underlying feeling of hope that she clings to. Even on closer track “I’ve Got Money Coming”, Dowling shrugs off financial burdens in favour of praising all the things she has to be grateful for in her life.
“Washington”, previously released as a single, shines even brighter alongside the rest of the tracks. Dowling’s convictions feel stronger when placed in the context of so many other deeply personal life moments. It celebrates Dowling’s womanhood and the companionship that comes along with fighting for that identity with countless others.
Meanwhile, “Tuesday’s Child” celebrates Dowling’s own personal identity and is an anthem for self-love. These two songs mirror each other in many ways, pillars that uphold Dowling’s message of optimism. No matter what life throws at her, Dowling seems to turn it around into something to learn and grow from – a mindset anyone could take a page from.