Kayowa Morris (stylised as kayowa) delivers a playful yet heartfelt ode to her hometown on her new single ‘based’.

The short but sweet track blends crunchy production and distorted bass with a beautifully soulful voice to create a luscious atmosphere. kayowa celebrates her South London roots, paying close attention to her surroundings and making poetic observations about ideas that may seem trivial or conventional to others. She presents London in a bittersweet fashion, remarking upon the “saddening” rate of homelessness and her welcome dissatisfaction with politicians. 

Yet, it is the city that raised her.  

The minimal yet hypnotic synths complement the track’s DIY soundscape. The rattling groove is infectious and her effortless harmonies make for an unmistakably unique sound. Her infatuated lyricism is one of the many stand-out themes of the song, reminiscent of artists like Lava La Rue or Tierra Whack.

’based’ is crammed with personality, bringing the fun back to music while simultaneously offering a sombre reminder of some of the hardships faced with London life.