Grace Kuraska’s latest single “monsters” is a contemplative track that tells the story of a toxic relationship. Acoustic with elegant vocals, this song is perfect for those of you who love the enemies-to-lovers trope while also being realistic about what the implications of these relationships are. “monsters” is lyric-driven, and so is best enjoyed with a close ear while gazing out a rainy window in the early hours of the morning. It is also alluringly soft, almost like the lover that the narrator describes; but you don't really see the thorns until you're close enough to get cut. Slow and introspective, you’ll be quickly swept into Kuraska’s soundscape as the gentle guitar and light percussion pull you deeper and deeper into this push-and-pull relationship, this complicated bond.
Cradled in satiny, mellow strings and Kuraska’s silken voice, “monsters” has the air of comfort in its soundscape. The percussion maintains a steady rhythm as the other instrumentals remain tentative to make way for the songwriting to take center stage. I really love how consoling the soundscape is, and until you listen closer to the lyrics, you could be lulled into its solace. Yet, toxic relationships, by their very nature, are complex; the one that “monsters” describes is exactly that. Being a very lyric-driven track, it is no surprise that Kuraska’s writing is in the spotlight. Questions swirl around the narrator, asking “did you ever even love me?” and “did you ever even care, babe?”; and is yet bracketed by lines such as “your lips lie but your eyes don’t / I spy a spark when they’re ice cold”. I adored the back-and-forth the lyrics introduced while the instrumentals kept their sound similar throughout the track. On one hand, you have this quiet romance, and then you have the terrible betrayals of the lover. While the violence is not entirely mitigated by the perceived love that the narrator receives, "monsters" shows the dual nature of being in a complicated relationship with someone who fails to healthily show their emotions. You get hurt, you bleed, and you chase after it. The cycle is definitely not great for your well-being, but “monsters” illustrates the possibilities of this relationship with whatever blood may be shed and love given. It’s clearest in the bridge when Kuraska sings, “It’s so sadistic, it’s masochistic / I can’t quit, think I’m addicted”. Any way you look at it, “monsters” is a lovingly multifaceted track with both a brilliant soundscape and magnificent songwriting that will make you think.
Hailing from Connecticut, singer-songwriter Grace Kuraska has spent myriad years secretly writing songs, and has finally revealed her music to the world. Although she first started writing lyrics as a child, it eventually blossomed into something more; picking up the guitar and keyboard opened up musical avenues for her to create art, and she used those skills to sharpen her songwriting. Inspired by artists such as Taylor Swift, Lorde, and Carole King, the influences in her music are clear in her honest, diary-like approach to her lyrics. Her debut single “Can You?” released in 2022 and was followed by four other singles in the years afterward. “monsters” is her first release of 2024. If you enjoyed “monsters”, consider following Kuraska and listening to the rest of her discography while we patiently await her next projects!
Written By Alexa Leung
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