keshi Grapples With the Cost of Fame on Stirring Debut Album 'GABRIEL'

image

Photo: Vince Aung

The road to keshi's long-awaited debut album GABRIEL has been one full of windings twists and turns. From leaving behind his job as an oncology nurse to finding stans in the likes of BTS, the Houston-bred artist's sudden emergence from underground fan-favorite to inevitable international star has retained one constant; it's an intoxicating cocktail of lo-fi sentiments and otherworldly pop-R&B garnished with impassioned, striking songwriting.  

This notion plays out through the course of keshi's 12-track debut, whether that be fueling the opening heater "GET IT" or serving as the emotional undercurrent for the pained "HELL/HEAVEN." It's a unique penchant for flowing effortlessly between moments of heart-stirring vulnerability and euphoric bouts of radio-ready, cathartic release - often in the same breath, such as on the gentle strumming of "ANGOSTURA" that momentarily surges forward with reckless abandon.

"GABRIEL is a record that turned out much more personal than I intended from the beginning," keshi confesses. "It ended up being a means for me to process the experience of having transitioned from a much less public life to another I'm having a little more trouble navigating recently. I thought about success, purpose, family, pressure, and failure; how time is my only commodity and how sex is just skin; how little I care for what people have to say and how important it is at the same time. I was reminded how fun making music is supposed to feel, and that it's just as much listened to as its lyrics are heard. It's an album that I hope is candid, varied, and one you can come back to again and again."

An album defined by moments of change, GABRIEL is a soundtrack that charts a series of lows, highs, and self-realizations. And in doing so, keshi emerges not just as a star of the moment but as one still charting his own continued evolution. keshi is not just the moment; he is creating the moment one stirring release at a time.  

Listen to GABRIEL below:


Related Articles

Sky Ferreira Finally Returns With "Leash," Announces 'Masochism' Album For 2025

Sky Ferreira Finally Returns With "Leash," Announces 'Masochism' Album For 2025

December 6, 2024 The return of Sky Ferreira definitely wasn't on our 2024 bingo card.
Author: Giselle Libby
pop
a24
Mark Ambor Brings His Safe Haven of Rockwood to the Hectic Streets of NYC [Q&A]

Mark Ambor Brings His Safe Haven of Rockwood to the Hectic Streets of NYC [Q&A]

December 6, 2024 Mark Ambor isn’t just chasing his dreams—he’s inviting everyone along for the ride – learn more in this pre-show interview.
Author: Jessie Eshak
pop
Q&A
Debbii Dawson's "The Great Magician" Will Leave You Spellbound

Debbii Dawson's "The Great Magician" Will Leave You Spellbound

December 6, 2024 “The Great Magician” glitters with a quality straight from a 70’s dance floor.
Author: Giselle Libby
pop