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Dela Kay makes internal tension feel addicting with her newest song, “Medicine.” Through a bold fusion of alternative rock and electronic production, the track captures the emotional whirlwind of desiring someone who only needs you in fleeting moments. The honest lyricism and vibrant musicality make “Medicine” a big and bright standout in Kay’s musical journey, one that clearly showcases her evolving artistry.

Written alongside producer and songwriter Stefano Pigliapoco, “Medicine” shines a spotlight on Kay’s creative evolution that she’s embraced since returning to the music scene with a heavier alternative style in 2021. The pieces fall perfectly into place with this transition, especially taking into account her inspirations: The Maine, Avril Lavigne and Paramore. Born in the “Music City” of Nashville, Kay took her EDM origins and infused them with what her passion drew her to — resulting in the eclectic yet intentional song, “Medicine.”

“Medicine” breathes out a sparkle of techno air while never letting go of the raw grit of its alternative-rock core. The mixture of glittery, electronic details with rock instrumentals is executed in a way that’s crisp yet still layered with variety — making you hear a new detail with every listen. The overall soundscape is not only genre-bending, but genre-loving, with an obvious appreciation for production that makes the listening experience all the more refreshing. The drive of the drum fills and power of the electric guitar create a liveliness within that track that’s almost palpable.

The chorus — “I’m just your medicine / I get you high when you’re down / I’m holding on again / ‘Cause I love to swim in your mouth” — encapsulates the toxic state of impermanence, when you know you can be someone’s temporary fix, but not their long-term love. There’s a constant push and pull reflected throughout the song: the weight of knowing it may not be lasting love, combating against the reassurance of being needed. The glitch effect spiked into the chorus mirrors the repetitive cycle of being pulled back into a codependent relationship, reinforcing both the emotional and sonic tension.

At its center, “Medicine” explores how love can lead into the desire to become everything for someone — their light, their north star, their medicine. Kay opens that wound unapologetically, diving into the painful reality that you become a bandage for someone else; you inevitably end up making yourself bleed out. Near the end, Kay’s backing metal screams provide the release the track has been building toward. It’s an intensely cathartic detail that you can’t help but revel in, especially as the final chorus begins with only Kay’s layered vocals and a grit-heavy guitar before quick-paced techno shakes crash into a drum-filled finale. Those final moments perfectly show off the song’s dynamic range and emotional payoff.

The layers in “Medicine,” both thematically and sonically, create a cinematic quality that seamlessly aligns with Dela Kay’s talent and artistic direction. It’s a track that transforms the emotional tug-of-war that is codependent toxicity into a musical experience that’s as immersive as it is daringly introspective. Kay’s fearlessness is striking, apparent in her resonant vocals and confident production choices, something that will only get bolder release after release.