REVIEW: KB & The Raskals’ Debut Song “Suffocating (My Airways)” Paints a Feeling Most of Us Hide
FEELING STUCK CREATIVELY IS UNFORTUNATELY SOMETHING THAT UNITES ARTISTS — across all genres and all mediums. The pressure of developing a new sound, new song, or new project can be incredibly soul draining. “Suffocating (My Airways),” the debut track of emerging indie Scottish band KB & The Raskals, perfectly describes that experience of being creatively isolated. Lead singer Katelyn Baxter (KB), lead guitarist Robert Lithgow, and bassist Dominic Rafferty come together to create a song that's powerful and emotionally familiar.
Dwelling on endless amounts of emotion and not knowing how to express them is exactly how KB felt, which can be heard in the very first line, “Lost in my own skin / I can’t find the exit / and I’m feeling alone now.”
Mixed with a dragged but tender electric guitar, the song starts out nearly devoid of music until the second verse. With drums joining in, the lyrics start to show a glimmer of hope: “Bathed in the sunlight / My future shines bright / And I'm feeling infected.” Although it appears to be a moment of relief, the feeling of doubt starts to creep over again at the bridge: “Afraid of being alone/ I don't wanna be shown / How to be alright.”
Most of us can relate to this brief boost of serotonin before we dwindle ourselves down when trying to overcome an obstacle.
The chorus is simple yet strong, repeating the song’s titular words, “Suffocating my airways.” Paired with KB’s strong vocals, the words thoroughly explain how external pressures from yourself and others can feel like your breathing is being cut off. We often forget that we have the inspiration and will inside of us to keep creating. That moment of doubt is shown perfectly through the line, “It’s difficult to see / There is more than me /To be found.”
Vulnerability isn’t easy for many to achieve, and this song is hopefully just a taste of what we will get from KB & the Raskals.
“Suffocating (My Airways)” ends more optimistically than the beginning. Toward the end, the words “I’m trying” speak loud and clear. As if seeing the small flicker of light at the end of the tunnel, we can only hope and look forward to what new and bright things are to come.
Listen to KB & The Raskals’ debut song, “Suffocating (My Airways),” now on Spotify.
