Brighton-based South London singer-songwriter Caitlin Kent-Halliday has recently shared her sophomore single ‘Backwards, Baby’. Following on from debut track ‘Motherland’, which was released earlier this year, the musician continues to explore personal experiences from her past that have made her the person she is today. This time Kent-Halliday delivers an essential message of healing and recovery after escaping an abusive relationship.
Before we dive into the track, here’s a note from the artist herself: “Change is hard. Here’s a nostalgic, Brit Pop, hype song to get you through. I realised the words I love you alone isn’t enough to excuse abuse of any kind and never will be. I’ve come too far forward to go backwards, Baby.”
The opening lines make this intention very clear, “don’t go backwards, baby, two steps forward, you’re out the door.” Kent-Halliday continues to unpack those complex feelings of hesitation, fear and misplaced nostalgia through a lilting, lullaby-esque melody. Her voice is full of understanding and empathy as she encourages whoever is listening, whoever needs this encouragement right now to walk towards freedom.
This sense of a supportive friend is emphasised by the gently swaying arrangement of uplifting horns, tapping percussion and jazzy guitar flourishes. It might feel relatively light, but the songwriting is truly profound.
Reminiscent of the witty honesty of Lily Allen, breezy melodic warmth of Eliza Doolittle and the charming storytelling of Kate Nash, Kent-Halliday adds her name to this pantheon of personable, relatable British songwriters with ‘Backwards, Baby’. We expect big things in the coming months and years.
You can also listen to ‘Backwards, Baby’ in our Shades of Pop playlist.
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