Alternative Pop from BOBBI

BOBBI is a Canadian alternative pop artist crafting a sound built around her elegant vocals, resulting in music that’s at once catchy and atmospheric. The alias of Kaylee Johnston, BOBBI first made her entrance back in 2019 when she dropped her debut single “Calling Out” featuring London-based production duo HANNIE.

Making an instant impact, her first track was featured on UK soap opera Hollyoaks as well as being licensed on various TV shows including The Voice UK, Love Island and Tiny Pretty Things on Netflix. Through her music, BOBBI explores the profound journey of deconstructing the false self, piecing together a poignant creative output that presents a relatable perspective on life.

In 2021 she followed up her debut with her sophomore track “Good on Me” as well as a collaboration with No Thanks and Eleganto on “Bring Me Back.” Now she returns and unveils the next chapter in her exciting musical story, announcing her upcoming debut EP titled Harsh.

Bringing us the first taste of the release, she shares the brand new single “Bruised,” a song co-written and produced with the experimental electronic artist Model 86. Centred around the idea of being trapped in a negative loop, “Bruised” delivers a dark and cinematic alternative pop sound that perfectly balances fragile melodic writing with punching rhythmic instrumentation.

Commenting on the single, she shares, “In a way, writing Bruised was the first step to me claiming my responsibility in those situations. I was the one making the repetitive choice to surround myself with people who had narcissistic tendencies. It was the beginning of a huge awakening, but I had no idea at the time. I just really liked the song. This was the first song I wrote for this EP, not knowing where it was leading. It was the first honest moment I’d had with music in a long time, and I was kind of shocked at what came out of me. The longer I sat with it, the longer I was like, yea, this is the vibe.”

Brought in by warm piano tones, BOBBI’s airy vocal flutters dance above as distant percussive elements tap and hint at the incoming soundscape. With grainy thumps at the first beat of the bar, the track builds with stabbing brass shots as BOBBI’s voice takes flight with powerful delivery, wrapped in processing while spinning defiant lyricism. Venturing through an enveloping scene, the pounding instrumentals and shuffling rustle of drums sets up an epic crescendo of compelling downtempo energy capped with memorable vocal hooks.

Paired with the single is a music video directed by Adem Boutlidja of LCDG Studio and post-produced by Thomas Ricquier, shot in an abandoned cathedral in Montreal. Cutting stark contrasting scenes of BOBBI performing the track in black and white with sharp red overlays, it’s a slick visual accompaniment to bring to life the music on screen.

Watch the music video for Bruised below

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