From the stages of The Voice and Songland to various festivals, Kylie Rothfield is a name that pulses with grit and grace. Mentored by none other than Alicia Keys, Rothfield’s journey in music has seen her collaborate with legends such as Ryan Tedder (Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Adele) and Ester Dean (Rihanna, Katy Perry) but her raw and soulful vulnerability is what sets her apart. On September 27, 2024, she released her latest track, “Never Loved Somebody,” and it’s nothing short of a heartbreaking masterpiece.
With this new single, Kylie transports us to a dreamlike state from the opening notes. Gentle notes pour with the warmth and comfort of a summer breeze. Her vocals enter, calming and nourishing the soul with a gut-punch singing, “You were my darkest day, I was your summer weekend.” These words set the emotional depth of the song, plunging us into the turmoil of being with someone incapable of true, deep love. The way she draws this contrast between fleeting affection and deep investment is a masterclass in lyrical storytelling. It’s a narrative familiar to anyone who’s felt they’ve given their all, only to be met with an emotional void. Vocally, Kylie delivers with the kind of soul and grit that only a voice like hers could carry; rich, full of texture, and dripping with the pain of experience. The rawness in her voice hits like a confession and her delivery feels intimate, as if she’s singing not just to a lost lover, but directly to each of us, straightening out the complexities of relationships gone wrong.
The lyrics of “Never Loved Somebody” capture the frustration and sadness of realizing that your partner may never change. The Santa Barbara sun setting in the evening provides a cinematic backdrop to an almost-ending relationship, while lines like “you like me better now ‘cause you know I’m leaving” give a deep commentary on the fleeting nature of shallow connections. And in the bridge, Rothfield delivers a gut-wrenching truth: “You would’ve changed if you wanted to.” This is a powerful moment of clarity cutting through the emotional fog, leaving listeners and the character in the song with a sense of finality. There’s a timeless quality to “Never Loved Somebody.” Its themes of unrequited love, emotional imbalance, and the longing for deeper connection are universal.
Sonically, the song doesn’t rely solely on vocals to captivate listeners. The production, co-written and produced by Eric “Potz” Potapenko, is a masterful blend of modern indie pop with the warmth of 70s soft rock, creating a timeless and modern sonic landscape. What’s wonderful is that despite being crafted entirely in home studios, the track retains live band energy that elevates its emotional resonance. The instrumentation is subtle yet purposeful—clean guitar strums layered with soft percussion, all blending harmoniously to support Kylie’s vocals without overpowering them. The mix by Rob Stevenson deserves special mention, as it allows the song to breathe, giving each element—from the crispness of the guitar to the depth of the bass—a place to shine.
Kylie Rothfield’s “Never Loved Somebody” stands as a bold reminder of the emotional depth music can convey when it’s crafted with honesty and heart in a world saturated with formulaic pop. This is a song for the lovelorn, the introspective, and anyone who’s ever wrestled with the question: Can you truly love if you’ve never allowed yourself to? For those unfamiliar with Rothfield, this track is your invitation to delve into the soul of an artist who blends the warmth of vintage rock with the emotional vulnerability of modern indie pop. She isn’t just another singer-songwriter on the rise—she’s a force, a storyteller, and a voice that demands to be felt. And if you’re a fan of honest, emotionally charged music, this is a must-listen.
Listen to “Never Loved Somebody” by Kylie Rothfield on Spotify or SoundCloud
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