Kita Alexander - Young In Love (2024) Hi-Res

A journey of mid-twenties self-discovery set to dreamy, dynamic pop. Kita Alexander turns a sharp eye to the peaks and valleys of mid-twenties life on her debut album. The Byron Bay pop artist sets aside time to chronicle her happy marriage to pro surfer Owen Wright—singing “Don’t need anything/Just this” on “Butterflies”—but also establishes a recurring theme of learning to value her independence. Against the thumping dream-pop of “Queen”, Alexander describes herself dancing alone like she’s headlining Madison Square Garden. “Best You Ever Had” is a clubby kiss-off to a lacklustre ex, while “Zodiac” is another hard-earned tribute to standing on her own. There’s plenty of contrast here too, in both mood and approach. Featuring British singer LAUREL, “All Night” finds solidarity amongst affectionate 1980s pop motifs, right down to a sax solo. More surprising is “Date Night”, a duet with Aussie country singer Morgan Evans, but that also unspools like a heartfelt confessional. Even when the arrangements are at their most dynamic, Alexander makes sure that her subject matter remains close to home as she shares her process of self-discovery. As she sings over acoustic guitar and reverbed tambourine on the closing “Matter of Miles”: “Sometimes we need to disappear to find ourselves”.