The first single from Tei Shi’s upcoming album subtlety speaks volumes: “A Kiss Goodbye” is full of soft-spoken empowerment beneath psychedelic beachside vibes.
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Listen: “A Kiss Goodbye” – Tei Shi
Valerie Teicher (aka Tei Shi) is back and stronger than ever. With the first glimpse of the follow-up to her critically acclaimed 2017 debut Crawl Space, Tei Shi reigns herself in, peeling back layers of percussive armor to show a softer side to the powerhouse vocals of her debut. The first single off her upcoming sophomore record, “A Kiss Goodbye,” is a breezy bossa nova bop that preaches the power of following your own intuition.
The stark juxtaposition between the relaxed ease of “A Kiss Goodbye” and the gritty, often claustrophobic intensity of the most notable Crawl Space tracks can be attributed to Teicher’s own change of scenery. Moving across the country, from New York City to Los Angeles, inspired a creative breakthrough for the songwriter. Removed from the nonstop grind of New York City, Teicher was able to reconnect with nature and find herself energized by the wide open spaces of the west coast. There’s particular confidence found in the breadth and brightness of these verses that could only come with leaving the weight of your past behind.
So I lead with my body
Follow with my head
If you got what you wanted
Let me walk away
I’m on the other side
I don’t need a kiss goodbye
Through the Latin-inspired rhythm and glowing synths, Teicher finds herself healing from a breakup, but not reeling. Trusting her intuition and taking back her power, Teicher moves through the pain of heartbreak with a sunny disposition. “A Kiss Goodbye” is filled with soft-spoken empowerment, instilling gentle reminders of one’s own worth, like: “The love that I have in this heart of mine / I’m keeping it all to myself this time.”
Behind Teicher’s whimsical vocals is a powerful message about trusting your gut and putting yourself first. “It’s about learning from love and from giving so much of myself to other people, and coming out of it with a more selfish mindset, to save my love and my nurturing for myself,” she said in a press release. “It’s about figuring out who you are on your own and without someone else defining that for you, through trusting yourself and allowing for the universe, the supernatural, the unexpected to take hold.”
Subtlety speaks volumes on this single. Teicher draws you in with hypnotic and airy vocals over samba-style drums, enveloping you in an enticing dream-like state. Between the lines of this languid melody, Teicher forces you to listen and internalize her lyrics, as if she’s whispering right in your ear. Such deep meaning feels out of place in this psychedelic pop paradise, whose stirring rhythm instantly transports you beachside. Close your eyes, drink in the sunlight, and let the untethered waves of Tei Shi’s falsetto crash over you.
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? © Cara Stricker
