Words by Chloe Williams

We all have something we find difficult to face, negative moments and experiences that constantly threaten to pull us down. After all, that is the way of life. Change is always one of these factors, bittersweet and often anxiety-inducing just as much as it is exciting and compelling. KAYELLE knows this all too well, and her new single “Old and New” is for the people who understand this very feeling and the act of embracing change in both the best and worst of times. Allowing listeners to reflect on the motions of their own journey in the world while also supporting them with a track displaying the deepest meanings and perhaps unwanted but inevitable discoveries, KAYELLE moves with musical grace and exploration through heartache and the exact opposite, optimism. 

Kayelle is a singer-songwriter from New Jersey who began releasing music in 2024. With four singles to her name, it is certain that Karly Lopez is only just starting to offer the world the music she is so capable of creating. However, this is not where her own music skills have started, as they have seen much more time being carefully constructed and aligned with what KAYELLE wants to produce. In 2025, it is very hard to avoid comparison in almost any of the creative industries. Being original is close to impossible. But it is the love for other music that will guide you to a degree of happiness with what you create, and KAYELLE has realised this. It is okay to learn from others, but to let their work disrupt and cease your own is where it becomes a problem. We love an artist who leads with honesty and humanity; we all have our moments, but it is the act of moving forward that we all aspire to follow. 

“Old and New” is beautiful. While it “isn’t exactly a happy song,” it is one that can evoke numerous different emotions in each and every listener. It is the inclusion of childhood videos and memories that can start a waterfall of tears, happy and sad, for me personally. The use of audio alongside this is also what grasps at the heartstrings. It is heavy on the heart and the soul, but can be the reason a weight falls from your shoulders. KAYELLE has explored the loss of all things, but most importantly, the will to bring yourself out the other side. Moving forward out of the depths of the dark side, but not without the parts that made you who you were before parts of life erupted. Something so hard to do but so important in the long run. 

If we need someone to look up to, it is no doubt KAYELLE. And we were lucky enough to ask the rising star some questions about numerous different aspects of her music, inspirations, perspectives and experiences. See our STARFREAK Magazine interview with KAYELLE below. 

How and when did you first start creating music?

I grew up playing classical piano and violin, and originally used to write more classical compositions for piano. I started writing songs as I got older, and I got into writing and publishing poetry in high school, so the transition to songwriting was really quite natural for me. I started getting more into production during university, where I did a degree in music technology and met more people to collaborate and produce with. I only started releasing music less than a year ago, but I would say my musical journey started long before that. 

What is it you enjoy about making music? Is it the way you can put all of yourself into it, or the complete opposite, and how it can give you a breather in the midst of life?

Pertaining to performance and the act of playing live, I love being in a space with an audience where I can convey anything I want to them and we can share universal emotions that are deeper than surface level, even if it’s for a short period of time. I think playing my music for people allows them to get to know me in a way that goes deeper than small talk, and I love the conversations I get to have with people after I perform that are based on topics and stories that I share in my music. Making and playing music is essentially what helps me to feel most connected to myself as well as others. 

What are your inspirations? E.g. in music, literature, poetry, film etc. 

My songwriting is really inspired by artists that I’m listening to both now and as I was growing up. I’m hoping to go into a more folk-indie-pop route with my new music and a lot of my newer work is inspired by Lizzy McAlpine, Sabrina Carpenter, The Marias, as well as older acts like Mazzy Star and Fleetwood Mac. 

Do you see music as a work of art? And how do you want this art to be perceived by others?

Of course! So much careful thought and time goes into music making that I think people are starting to recognize nowadays… mostly because the act of music production has largely been democratized… records don’t just pop out of nowhere from mysterious studios, you can make an entire commercial sounding album from your bedroom, and I think that has really changed people’s perspective on the art form. 

I used to worry a lot about how my music was perceived, and I think that stopped me from dropping music for a long time because my music wasn’t necessarily where I wanted to be when I consider my influences and other artists I look up to. However, I think it’s become more about the journey and improving for me. Each song that I drop is different from the next, but as I build my fanbase, I want to be an example that it’s okay to not be exactly where you want to be when you first start. I want them to be able to experience my musical evolution with me in an honest and transparent way, and that’s how I hope my art is received. 

Do you listen to music sonically or lyrically? And how do you take this into your own music and the creation process?

Definitely both. As I was growing up I think I paid more attention to the lyrics, and I still do today. However, as I built up my background in production, and am producing more and more for myself, I find myself listening really carefully to all of the sonic elements making up a song and contributing to that overall vibe that people get hooked on. Everything interacts with one another.

I think I listen to a lot of music for inspiration now, either lyrically or sonically. For example, I’ll listen to a lot of The Marias’ newest album, “Submarine”, and dissect why I like it so much… I wouldn’t normally put their music into a “Rock” genre; however, a lot of musical elements like the tone of their guitars, for example, are extremely rock/gritty in nature. It’s interesting for me to understand the different genres that artists are pulling from because it impacts the musical decisions I wouldn’t have thought to make before. 

Do you have a favourite song you have created so far? And why is this the chosen one?

Probably One-Way, I think the bridge of that song is something I’m really proud of. The combination of all the production elements and vocal melodies works to create a really melancholic, wistful feeling that I was searching to achieve through that song, and I’m really pleased with it. I think a lot of my newer fans have discovered me via that song as well, so I’m happy that it has spoken to people. 

Are there any moments of your life that you feel have altered the direction of your music? 

Definitely moving abroad. I think a lot of my music is about me dealing with change, people changing, places changing, and I only really started to think about this after I left home in the US four years ago. Even though I’m home in the US now, the experience of living so far from where I came from for so long impacts the way I live my life being back here, and in that regard, it will have really altered the direction of my music. 

With “Old and New,” childhood videos and memories are introduced. What feelings does this sense of nostalgia evoke in you? 

Old and New isn’t exactly a happy song; it’s about feeling overwhelmed with change, and I think I often feel a sense of loss and regret when I see all of these videos and pictures from my childhood. It’s so strange to see a version of myself that had never been hurt, betrayed, or misunderstood, and it’s something that I think I’m always trying to run back to. I think this is something a lot of people can relate to, so that’s why I used them as the key visuals for the song.

How do you picture the future of your music and artistry? 

I see myself gaining a lot more confidence in the direction of my songwriting and live performance. I’m playing more music with the people around me back home, around NYC, and I have a lot more freedom now in terms of production ability and knowledge of where I want to go musically. It’s a really exciting time of creating and performing for me, so I’m really looking forward to this next era. 

Is there anything you want to say to those listening to your music? Perhaps those finding comfort and connection in your work?

I want my music to be a place where people can feel all of their messiest, pettiest feelings without feeling judged or silly. I know it’s hard to find people we can authentically connect with in this day and age, so if my music helps someone work through a rough patch or difficult emotions, I’ve done a good job. And of course, thank you for listening and coming along for the ride.

Listen to “Old and New” by KAYELLE on Spotify now. 

Photos from @kayelle_x