Kylie Spence’s new song “Locker Room Talk” is one we all need to hear. She wrote it after a night out at a bar, when she was grabbed by a stranger, on top of hearing some vile, horrific comments being openly spoken. Verbal harassment and a lack of personal safety is a fact of the female experience, and this song lays the truths of objectification on the line. When you listen to the lyrics, it’s validating to many people because you can connect with the experiences the speaker has had. At the same time, it’s heartbreaking to know that this is a universal experience. The song says “I’m tired of being polite when you say that creepy shit”. Sometimes after being harassed, we tend to feel guilt or disgust with ourselves for not doing anything to stop it, but there’s an internal struggle from society constantly telling us not to cause trouble because it’s rude. Kylie's lyrics inspire people to understand that it's the people committing the harassment who deserve to feel that shame. With the words “you think you can grab me without even asking”, there’s a hopeless feeling of rage that so many people do not respect women’s bodily autonomy. It’s a disgusting reality that this sort of behavior, literal and illegal assault, is normalized.
The song gets personal with the fear “I’m scared for my little sis, when she has to see all this and thinks that it’s fine”. This line shows how terrible it is to know what people are like and be certain that your loved ones will experience the same traumatic and cruel behavior as you have. It’s the reason women share their location with one another, and why they always have to be on-guard in public places. Kylie’s lyrics “they think they’re Jesus Christ and walk on the water, the tears that I cry” explain that these perpetrators of assault and harassment truly believe they are invincible. They think there are no consequences to their actions, and do not care how violated, hurt, or scared people feel as a result. When I listened to this song for the first time, I felt seen. The more you listen to it, the more you feel inspired. With the blame, hate, and disgust all placed on the people who deserve it, listeners feel supported through this song. “Locker Room Talk” invites people to be comfortable being angry at those who deserve it. It starts a conversation about what safety means to everyone.
The vocals are beautifully expressive, embracing a gentle and feminine timbre throughout the song. During the verses, Kylie’s voice sounds like it’s coming from her throat. Through the delicate and raw sound, there’s a level of vulnerability that can be heard in the tune of the melody. It wavers, starting high at the beginning of lines, then descending. This builds up to the chorus which has a louder and ascending melody. With the verses describing the situation and the chorus telling off those perpetrators, the tune seems to reflect the speaker finding her voice. “Locker Room Talk” begins with soft electronic instrumentals that mirror the tune of the chorus before moving onto a quiet, simple, and sad acoustic picking pattern. The electronic instrumentals and loud percussion bring out the rage, force, and power in the chorus while gentle high notes with the sound of a xylophone add a lightness to the song. Through the first part of the bridge, the symphony of instrumentals from the chorus continues, and Kylie’s vocals are sustained and strong. Then only muted electric guitar and emotional vocals take over. The final chorus builds into a loud and powerful declaration.
Kylie Spence is a Nashville-based musician from Montana who writes and performs introspective and personal songs that listeners can relate to throughout their respective journeys. Kylie found every opportunity to perform growing up, from school talent shows to open mic nights. She bought herself a guitar and learned to play on her own before she even hit high school. From school shows to international touring, Kylie has come a long way. She released her EP “The Score” last Fall, and collaborated on MSTR’s single “Allergic to Your Love” in 2023 as well. On October 4th, keep an eye out for Kylie’s debut album, “Everything And Nothing”. You can buy her merch or pre-order a vinyl record of her new album on her website. Check out the links below to hear her inspiring music.
Written By Hanna Kowal
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