Debuts are so exciting! It’s the birth of a creative voice into the public! As such, it’s always an honor when new artists entrust us with their works.

On today’s agenda is Kat Violet’s Hey Boy, an atmospheric RnB single I’ve shamefully been procrastinating writing this review to by looping it on repeat. It’s nothing short of alluring, which, judging from the lyrics, is evidence of an overwhelming success in Violet’s intent:

Hey boy, what’s your name? 
I wanna be your girlfriend if you’re straight. 
What’s your sign? Come my way 
You’ll be mine if you give me one date.

What’s impressive is that this allure gleams bright from the very start. We open with a stripped-back electric guitar solo, and something about it – the slick strums, the swaggy swing, who knows – is effortlessly charismatic; an effective hook. Then, the beat drops – and you’re transported to a completely different key, swept off your feet as the lilty vocals enter. It’s so disarming, and that simply must be the draw.

Tell me this isn’t one of the aptest metaphors for attraction you’ve ever heard.

This is a record where vocal performance is key, and boy, does Violet deliver. Something especially about the lilting whine of the refrain “Hey Boy” – perhaps a wistful mewl is a better-suited synonym – captivates the ear akin to a siren. It might be that the intonation is evocative of a beg, but the diction is that of a command; that tension has made its numerous appearances in the song and dance of many, I’m sure.

Speaking of dancing, I also love that this is a track I can envision playing in a bar as I munch on popcorn, watching other would-be couples and their nonchalant attempts at courting. It’s the musical performance that does it for me; the musicians on board all play with an assurance devoid of all stiltedness, employing subtle hip-swaying syncopation and dynamic interplay at their beck and call. It’s like the live band at an establishment that ensures the best date night for everyone with a reservation… Have I mentioned how evocative the single is yet?

Alright, perhaps I should disclaim that I might be a little biased. Word painting is the way to my heart. Sneak in word painting, and my heart’s all yours. The first pre-chorus opens with the following lines:

Talk to me boy I want you 
Can’t you tell from the way I sigh?

You’re never going to guess what the backup vocals do – their melodic contour descends conjunctly. In non-technical jargon, that’s musical sighing. Sigh.

If my enamoured gushing has persuaded you at all, please check out Hey Boy. And while we’re at it, Violet has already amassed a sizable following, so go join us in keeping up with her musical activity on Instagram!

And with that, here’s the end of this review! Congratulations to Violet on the debut, and I hope I’ve passed on some of my enthusiasm for the release to you, dear reader! If you’d like to add on to the conversation yourself, feel free to create an account over on iaasmusic.com, and you’ll be ready to chime in!