In “Kiss,” Val Astaire pens a letter to his own innermost demons, fighting off negative thoughts and acknowledging that they are not worth dwelling on.
Listen: “Kiss” – Val Astaire
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We all deserve to feel good about ourselves, right? (Right!) Sure, it may not always be easy, as doubt can so swiftly creep in. The little voice in your head tells you that you are not worthy of being powerful; but, everyone nonetheless should be given the opportunity to feel like kings or queens or anything in betweens, reveling in the greatness that is possessed within. Val Astaire knows this — and in his newest single, “Kiss,” released today, he wholly champions it.
In “Kiss,” Val Astaire pens a letter to his own innermost demons, fighting off negative thoughts and acknowledging that they are not worth dwelling on. As the song opens, he croons:
I sold your weight in gold
To buy it back it’d be a miracle
I don’t mean to sound so cynical
But you’re not really worth it anymore
Not like you were before
By forthrightly proclaiming that it’s “not really worth it anymore,” Val Astaire sets a precedent for the remainder of the song, opening up an infinite amount of possibilities for positive change. “Kiss” unapologetically encourages transforming in to the best possible version of oneself.
While disavowing this negativity, Val Astaire still acknowledges that the past has unchangingly occurred, and there isn’t anything that can really be done about it except to move on from it. In the second verse, he states:
My crown of thorns
Don’t fit me right
Not like it did before
A little tighter but I play it cool
I’m king of nothing and I’m still adored
And I’m getting bored
Although he “play[s] it cool,” he can’t escape his previous grievances — but there is nothing wrong with that. We all carry our own crowns of thorns, keep our own skeletons in the closet, have our own crosses to bear. “Kiss” allows for healthy growth without ignoring the fact that we are all simply human.
“Kiss” powerfully takes these self-love ideals and instills in them an air of darkness, as the song’s heavy instrumentation marauds around its lyricism, further excising any self-doubt. In the accompanying music video, also out today, Val Astaire takes inspiration from the likes of Marilyn Manson and Nine Inch Nails, as the audio feels effusively reminiscent of Muse. The particularities of “Kiss” allude to its theme with ease, as the narrative and its delivery feel fully supplementary of one another.
Now kiss on the ring
Kiss
Now kiss on the ring
As the song continues, Val Astaire becomes more overtly confident, challenging his darker thoughts to even dare try to take over again. “Kiss” condescendingly invites the negativity to take aim and fire, because it will likely be a fruitless effort.
You’re looking awful bold
Come take a chance
Come knock me off my throne
That’s your seventh shot
Now go reload
Make sure you’re aiming it right at my throat
Set, ready? go
This confidence goes on, as Val Astaire takes further shots at his monsters, laughing in the face of self-doubt:
Make no mistake
The look on your face
Looks like you’ve seen a ghost
“Kiss” successfully fights off uncertainties, providing an undeniable intrepidity from which we can all learn.
Val Astaire has astutely metamorphosed both visually and sonically throughout his career, impressively navigating an industry that so often swallows artists whole. Through unique musicianship coupled with an intriguing visual persona a la David Bowie, Val Astaire masterfully differentiates himself as one not to be ignored. “Kiss” only further proves his inimitable artistry, substantiating the craftsmanship that Val Astaire works so hard to perfect.
Listen: “Kiss” – Val Astaire
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