Upon listening to 20 year old, Vancouver-based artist KENZA’s sophomore release ‘Dixie & The Dead States’, it becomes clear that she draws as much from the avant-garde as from pop. Presented with a strong 70s aesthetic, the 3-track album features a variety of sounds, from the atonal ‘VEGAS BEST, NV 89109’ to the trap-like ‘BISCAYNE BAY FT. EMERY SIMEON, FL 33138’ and the laid back, R&B tinged ‘SAN PEDRO SEDATION, CA 94158’. But what pulls the album together is KENZA’s soulful, buttery vocals.
Whereas her debut release ‘Adult Glorification’ was heavily influenced by Frank Ocean, KENZA stayed away from outside influences on this EP. “There are no influences because I can’t allow myself to have influences at the moment. It makes me doubt my music. So this is the first one that is all KENZA,” she explains. Going from powerless to powerful is another difference between ‘Dixie & The Dead States’ and ‘Adult Glorification’ for KENZA. “It feels kind of like driving in your dad’s car. Now you’re the driver. You’re in the front seat.”
Another big change between the two releases has been KENZA’s approach to writing. Previously she would write and then create music, but now she freestyles a lot more in studio. “I think now I’m going away from structure and just make sure that I can feel it.”
Finally, whereas ‘Adult Glorification’ was produced by KENZA, the track ‘San Pedro Sedation’ from the new EP was produced by her alter-ego ‘CFR’. “I can’t be focused on anything KENZA when I’m producing and that allows me to not think I’m making a hip hop record, I’m making a pop record or I’m making an R&B record.”
The album title itself refers to KENZA’s attempt at making it in LA and not finding fellow artists to collaborate with. “As an artist that kind of kills you. So I had this thing where I’m in San Pedro, I have nothing at the moment, I can’t go forward with this and I just kinda have to go back home, and it put me in this really weird dead state”.
Already working on a follow-up album, this time a full 15-track package, KENZA is also in the process of producing a music video to support ‘San Pedro Sedation’. While her music doesn’t fall into the neat boxes that people often feel the need to allocate to artists, KENZA’s approach to music is inspired by some of pop’s biggest icons such as Madonna and Kanye West. In fact, ‘808s & Heartbreaks’ by Kanye West was the album that got her into wanting to create music, with ‘Paranoid’ a heavy inspiration. While ‘San Pedro Sedation’ draws heavily on the 70s aesthetic, KENZA doesn’t want to be tied to any one look. “How can I make this fun for other people? I’m me no matter what, but I feel like they should also feel like they’re looking at something exciting every single time, not looking at the same thing.”
While she relates to her music in specific ways, KENZA knows the same can’t be said for her listeners. “It’s about creating an experience for them so they can make whatever they want out of the song.” With ‘San Pedro Sedation’, KENZA has matured as an artist, taken the lessons from her debut release and improved on them. “I think I’m at that point where I can do anything. You learn from your mistakes. I feel powerful with this [EP].”