Editor’s note: Kimya has released that they are nonbinary and would prefer to be referred to as they/them/theirs
Over the weekend I dressed up as Bleeker from the movie “Juno” with one of my friends for Halloween. “Juno” is a large topic in our house–we watch it close to once a week and show it to all the people who hang out with us.
One of the best parts about the movie is the soundtrack, curated with a very small midwestern feeling while still being widely enjoyed by most who come across it.
In my opinion, the best part of the soundtrack is the large amount of Kimya Dawson and their band, The Moldy Peaches. Their music has become the staple for “Juno”-related videos and references on the internet.
I’ve been listening to Kimya Dawson’s music for years now, and yet every time I turn on their discography, I find a new song that speaks to me. Their music is classified as “anti-folk,” sitting in the same category as The Mountain Goats, AJJ and Beck.
Kimya is one of those special public people who I feel has their own life outside of the spotlight. I would consider the level of fame Dawson received to be the perfect amount.
I can imagine the life they have outside of the cameras, concerts and social media. They have a child, Panda, and still perform when they want but seem to spend most of their days in their world away from the chaos of stardom.
If I had to describe their music, I would clamor to find a string of words that did them justice. Their sound is childlike in nature, using mostly simple guitar and ukulele strumming patterns and plinking piano notes. Their lyrics are profound but accessible, easy to understand on the surface but complex in context.
They are most known for their love songs, and in Juno those take center stage. Songs like “Anyone Else But You” and “So Nice So Smart” both evoke a similar innocence to the feeling of first love. When I experienced my first love, it felt like Kimya knew exactly how I felt.
It wasn’t until I was a bit older that I started listening to their other songs. “The Beer” was different from what I had expected from their discography, and it was a welcome surprise. Using a slew of metaphors and similes, the song tells a story that deserves to be listened to and absorbed multiple times.
One of my favorite songs from Kimya’s discography is “I Like Giants.” This song follows a story and dialogue describing the feeling of being a girl growing up and coming into her own. They found a way to create a narrative for a feeling I hadn’t been able to verbalize.
The darker messages among these songs were refreshing, introspective and overall a really welcome contrast from their previous work. Either way, the talent and natural appeal of the stripped-down whimsy of their body of work will never be lost on me.
The thing that sticks out about Kimya’s music is the care put into the message. Each song seems to have a curated feeling. It all feels genuine, and that transcends any musical genre or preference. So, if you’re looking for some new music to try out this fall, I would recommend giving Kimya Dawson a try.
Brandel can be reached at [email protected].
