The story of Kim Beyer is one of resilience, reinvention, and emotional honesty. From Memphis' soul-filled cradle, where blues reinvented life and livelihoods, her music is steeped deep in musicality, a kind of authenticity to be had by none. Life had many plans for Kim: a move to Europe, marriage, and a blossoming career as a singer-songwriter, which was turned upside-down by a stroke of fate. After settling in Columbus, Ohio, to start a family, her husband suffered a massive brain aneurysm, leaving him severely disabled. In incomprehensible pain, Kim knuckled down and turned to music again, directing that pain on her 2021 album "STAGES," a bittersweet exploration of trauma and healing.
Now, in 2025, Kim Beyer is back with a vengeance to punch in her latest project: "Spiral". Kim’s music has always thrived on juxtapositions, bright, shimmering arrangements paired with lyrics that cut into the bone. This contemplation of her own life: a woman who has endured immense discomfort but won't let that define her. She and her sound are a virtual kaleidoscope of influences, gritty blues that came from her Memphis upbringing; the glossy sheen of '90s pop; and the pulsating energy of modern electronic.
The lead single from "Bad Person" in her new album, "Spiral," is a magnificent lesson in tension. Produced at Rock Candy Recordings by Matt Langston, the track is a slick dance banger crackling with nervous energy. The production shines in its crispness and heavy layering; with a contemporary approach, each one stands proud.
A rhythmic bass line pushes forward with sharp handclaps and bouncy content that must be listened to at least once in a lifetime. A tight rhythm section constrains a groove that creates both a mechanical yet human atmosphere, in homage to the song's exploration of life in the digital age.
The synth work on "Spiral" really brings the track to life. Staccato stabs poke through the mix like shards of glass, creating an urgent and uneasy atmosphere. Glitchy electronic flourishes weave in and out of the mix, forming an otherworldly space that is tight.
Kim's singing is generous and airy, but tension lurks just underneath. She gives her lines an unbelievably rhythmic appeal that turns her voice into not another sophisticated instrument, but another member of the percussion family.
The song's hauntingly danceable nature perfectly mirrors the themes at play. It's a track that will get your body moving while simultaneously challenging you to grapple with the dark aspects of your digital lives. The production is a beautifully blended mix of techniques and core emotions, solid evidence of Kim's adept skills at balancing the cerebral and the visceral.
"Spiral" will hit you like a gut punch if you've ever felt the crush the digital world puts on you. Be glad to lend your ear to "Spiral" streaming right now, it is out on all major platforms including Spotify, don't sleep on it and go listen to it right now.