Kenya Eugene Finds Her Truth With New EP
The Caribbean singer/songwriter drops fresh music with a four track EP called You Are I
Just because our moniker is “Rock Oracle” doesn’t mean that we are strictly limited to writing and creating content that is only covering the genre of “rock” music. In fact, I thrive in a realm where I am exploring new music that is outside the norm for my musical appetite. I am very grateful that the artist known as Kenya Eugene came across my desk and graced my ears with her beautiful songs.
Kenya Eugene is a Caribbean singer and songwriter who was born and raised on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. She has been making music professionally for over 15 years or so and she’s the younger sister of Dezarie. Dezarie is an international roots reggae artist. Eugene released her new single on March 7th of this year entitled, ‘In and Outta Love,’ and her upcoming EP, You Are I, is about to release on April 4th.
As I listened to this new record I felt as if my heart was an empty aquarium and the music that Kenya was sharing with me was slowly filling that tank with every note, tone and word she sang. I became emersed in beautiful blue waters, colorful reefs and gorgeous aquatic wildlife began swimming throughout my body – causing me to graciously smile and appreciate life.
The single ‘In and Outta Love’ tackles a theme that we are all familiar with. It is ultimately a song about navigating relationships and the imperfections of our actions when trying to care for someone else while also protecting ourselves. That is my grab anyway. It cracks in with an up-tempo reggae beat and Eugene’s voice floats in with and air of certainty. Kenya explains “Their [Producer Alfred “TippyI” Laurent of I-Grade Records and Zion I Kings production collective] signature sound — rooted in deep, authentic reggae while embracing modern textures — was the perfect match for this song. We created something that feels both timeless and fresh.”
Her lyrics “I keep on lying to myself/ Even when I feel it/ Happens every time I fall in and outta love,” are warming and recognizable. While the words are contemplative and create a conundrum of thought that may question our actions, the vibe is inspiring, and hope seems to lay along the sandy beach that I envision my listening happening.
The music is more complex than just reggae. It’s more of an amalgamation of various platforms that one can clearly hear with all her projects. A quote I found on Kribbean.com from Kenya seems to summarize my interpretation. “Because of my Caribbean heritage and musical influences I gravitate towards a number of genres, which you can hear in my music. I consider myself to be more of an international artist, although I am a balladeers at heart, you can hear musical influences such as reggae, r&b, pop, and soul in my work”.
The four-track record delves into our singer finding herself -and the listener can hear her channeling a voice that is manifesting advice through experience. The tall and statuesque crooner engages us throughout her pieces and acts as an emotional sherpa. Her truth is evident in her music. That is seemingly the theme of ‘I N I’.
She speaks of her African roots and channels her ancestry within this 3:55 long track that is so wonderfully constructed. The song explores those before her that blazed the path in order for her to thrive. She pays homage to the former nation of Swaziland singing, “I feel your energy in everything/ You are my every thing/ I can feel you when my heartbeats”. I am enamored by her ability to emote her thoughts into these pristine and sensual melodies.
‘Lift Up My Head’ and ‘You Are I’ round out the compilation and are also exceptional. This record is fluid in its structure and the songs create a soundtrack to an undetermined destiny that Kenya Eugene is figuring out for herself. We are along for the ride and looking at the landscape that she has created for us. She doesn’t necessarily know the answers either, but she wants to help us- and with her musically extended hand she reaches out, so that the audience is not left alone. Her music can be physically felt, and her passion is evident.
Kenya says, “Each track on ‘You Are I’ tells a different story, but they all connect — whether it’s love, identity, faith, or self-discovery. This project is my first full Roots Reggae EP and every note, every lyric, was created with intention.”
Here is the new EP from Kenya Eugene: