Kisos, Autophagia | Album Review 💿

Talented queer pop singer/songwriter Kisos delivers an authentic, complex, dark, enjoyable, and well-crafted EP in Autophagia.

There is incredible power in being true to self, as well as being ultra-transparent. Singer/songwriter 🎙 Kisos exemplifies self-truth, openness and transparency. Follow him on his socials, and honestly, you’re in for a treat. But beyond that cool, intriguing, and gargantuan personality, musically, he is one talented individual.  On 💿 Autophagia [Note: Per ScienceDirect, “Autophagia occurs when one is compelled to inflict pain upon oneself by biting and/or devouring portions of one’s body”], Kisos should be a proud – he comes through with six tracks and 17 minutes of fabulous music.  While Autophagia isn’t a happy go lucky listen per se, it’s an authentic, well-crafted one that speaks to Kisos’ performance, production, and songwriting abilities.

“Bloodshot” 

Kisos commences Autophagia with 🎵 “Bloodshot,” originally released as a single back in 2021. Among the biggest selling points is the songwriting, truly a sight to behold… or hear… or read… Anyways, standout lyrical moments include “Serpentine maze of walls / Between dimensions / Stubborn defenses / Slowing down to a crawl / Has anything I’ve ever done mattered” (pre-chorus) or the bridge, “Erase forevermore the life I lived before / I can’t revive that soul / Faded approximations, forcible purgation / How can I feel whole?” Forcible purgation? Dang, Kisos! Perhaps he has serious questions in the context of this honest, reflective song, and, of course, emphasizes “Focus on the bloodshot eyes,” but there is no question about the enjoyability, quality, and winning nature of the opener.

“In my world everything’s fine / Don’t understand why you are terrified.” 🤬 “And those kids at the border line / Ship ‘em back they’ll be alright / Follow the rules that justify,” Kisos sings on the show stopping second track, 🤩 🎵 “Bite Your Tongue”. You should be mad as hell listening and reading the lyrics – that is the intent of the songwriting. Kisos described “Bite Your Tongue” as “a heavy, eerie track dragging everyone who is passive and unfeeling in the face of genocide of marginalized peoples.” WOO! “Now you leave us bleeding ‘cause you bite your tongue.” The theme is the crowning achievement of “Bite Your Tongue.” Being passive is unacceptable, playing a role in continued marginalization.  Beyond epic songwriting, the voice, music, and production all shine. From the start, “Bite Your Tongue” is locked-in with rhythmic guitar accompaniment, a driving force throughout the track.  Furthermore, additional music cues and production touches (synths and such) make this socially conscious anthem even better.  Vocally, he delivers an authentic, beautiful, and expressive performance. Also, give him props for the harmonized vocals  and some truly great melodic moments that are executed stupendously.  All told, he skwirted out a gem – a call to action bop –  with 🎵 “Bite Your Tongue”. 

Appears in 🔻:  

• Awesome Songs: May 2023
• Best LGBTQ 🏳️‍🌈 Songs of 2023 (so far)

“Transience” 

“I can’t take another transition / Grief shooting spines through my chest,” Kisos sings in the first verse of the dark, utterly compelling 🤩 🎵 “Transience”.  Prior to those poetic lyrics on a song the artist describes as one of celestial sadness, where missing someone is the ultimate pain, the tone is set by the enigmatic intro, establishing the minor key.  Beyond the opening two lines of the first verse, he continues singing in expressive, if unsettling fashion, “Every time I think I have it figured out / The house crumbles down where I rest.” Sure, it’s depressing but awesome, nonetheless. Later, the second verse yields more pessimism, in all of its glory: “Assumptions and comforts left me unaware / The snap of a finger, fall into despair / Try telling myself that I’ll be okay / But can’t handle when life’s not going my way.” Ah, the ultimate pity party! With picturesque production supporting him, dramatic verses, and top-notch vocals, there is so much to heart about “Transience.” The centerpiece, of course, is the chorus.  Here, the pain that he experiences makes perfect sense: “Cuz all I do is miss you / Visions turned me senseless / You laughter in my ear / Your touches in transience.” Transience, a form of the adjective, transient, is defined as ‘passing especially quickly into and out of existence.’ That fits what Kisos states in the chorus of “Transience.” 🎵 “Transience” gives Kisos a three-peat in the context of Autophagia.  

Appears in 🔻: 

• Kisos, Transience: LGBTQ Bopz 🌈🎶 37 (2022)

“The Hole You Left” 

Post 🎵 “Transience”, listeners are treated to the newest material by Kisos.  Unsurprisingly, the talented singer/songwriter continues to tickle the listener’s fancy.  It begins with 🎵 “The Hole You Left” where the boxes of pop excellence continue to be check off one by one.  Once more, he serves up radiant vocals. I love the expressiveness and authenticity with which he sings as well as and his rich tone and decadent runs. Furthermore, his vocal harmonies are filled with warmth and utterly sublime. Once more, Kisos has a knack for a tuneful melody, is sound in the production department, and excels at songwriting.  Sure, it’s not a happy tune – we empathize and sympathize with that hole –  but, it’s a surefire vibe!

The penultimate track, 🎵 “Caretakers,” provides a nice contrast, clocking in under a minute.  This interlude is a conversation paired with a hypnotic, nostalgic instrumental. Listen a couple of times and more and more of its magic is revealed – pretty cool.  Of course, Kisos skwirts 🤭 out another bop to conclude Autophagia in 🎵 “Six Feet Under.”  The intro features some of the most unique musical sounds of the entire EP.  The groove alone is EVERYTHING.  The R&B influence is clear in regards to the production as well as Kisos vocal runs.  Also, “Six Feet Under” excels in the dance-pop production.  Of course, you can’t mention this morbid joint without shouting out the use of one my favorite instruments – and Kisos’ too – the flute! “Six Feet Under” sounds celestial… musically speaking!

Final Thoughts 💭 

On the 17 minute 💿 Autophagia, there is no doubt in my mind that Kisos gave us his best, PERIOD.  He put his heart and soul into these six tracks. And guess what? None of the six tracks are misses – he just – just skwirted and skwirted out hit after hit. Autophagia is a success because of strong vocals, authentic songwriting, and some fine work behind those boards.  Kisos, we S-T-A-N! #SLAYYY! 

🤩 Gems 💎: All shine, but we’ll go with “Bite Your Tongue,” “Transience,” “The Hole You Left” & “Six Feet Under” 

🎙 Kisos • 💿 Autophagia • 🏷 Miller Place • 🗓 8.4.23

[📷: Miller Place]