Artist: Kylie Rothfield Single: The Barrel Genre: Indie Pop, Indie Rock Release Date: October 25th, 2024
From the first few bars, “The Barrel” sets its own pace, a midtempo groove that invites you to sit with it. Rothfield’s voice is rich and emotive, but what stands out here is her restraint. She doesn’t overplay her hand or push too hard. Instead, she lets the story unfold naturally, guiding us through the repetition of hitting rock bottom and getting up again. The lyrics cut cleanly, and the production—co-handled by Rothfield herself alongside Eric “Potz” Potapenko—has a raw, homespun quality that serves the track’s emotional depth without feeling underdone. There’s a maturity in the songwriting that makes its simplicity resonate. “I’ve given my all, and I’ve got nothing left to show for it,” she sings, and it feels like the kind of line that’ll stick with you long after the song fades out.
Sonically, Rothfield draws on influences like Allen Stone and Emily King, blending them with a modern sheen that never feels derivative. It’s clear she knows her way around a melody, and she doesn’t need to dazzle you with vocal acrobatics to make her point. There’s something about the chord choices here—subtle but surprising, with a major chord nestled in the chorus that shifts the emotional weight of the song in such a satisfying way. It’s that little twist that keeps you coming back for another listen.
With production credits that include mixing by Robert Stevenson (Beach Weather, Paul McCartney) and mastering by Dave McNair (Allen Stone, Demi Lovato), “The Barrel” has the polish of a big-budget track while maintaining the intimacy of something crafted in a home studio. It’s a delicate balance, and one that works in Rothfield’s favor, elevating her without alienating her. She sounds like a superstar, but in a way that feels personal—like she’s not quite there yet, but soon, very soon.
Rothfield’s trajectory feels inevitable. With over a million streams under her belt and a sound that’s both current and built to last, she’s poised to break into a bigger space. For now, though, “The Barrel” feels like a quiet moment of reflection, a song that takes its time and rewards the listener for sticking around. Tasty stuff, indeed.
Check them out on socials:
https://www.kylierothfield.com
https://www.facebook.com/kylierothfield
https://twitter.com/kylierothfield
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5QfKIQ78C8jtliKdwTPHlq?si=oyGLAFhDTOKHJfWEZTjfFw
https://soundcloud.com/kylierothfield?fbclid=IwAR2AzIOa7YVQhXNl7L4huJodPVYkh_C9lAfrQOdln2pxAe1hhT95Ygslr8Y
https://kylierothfield.bandcamp.com
https://www.youtube.com/user/kyliesmiley0
https://www.instagram.com/kylierothfield/
