There’s a reason mega alt-pop artist Hayley Kiyoko is known as “Lesbian Jesus” to adoring fans who celebrate her celebration and openness about the LGBTQIA+ community in her songs. Now, she’s back with a brand-new track.
Long-time listeners have been patiently waiting for new music, and can finally add new single “Found My Friends” to their rotation and stream it on repeat. This serves as Kiyoko’s first solo release since her 5-track EP I’m Too Sensitive For This Shit from early 2020.
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The edgy, synth-pop track is layered with several meanings, one being that it serves as a hallmark of Kiyoko’s growth into adulthood and learning to enjoy her own company.
“‘Found My Friends’ is a song I wrote during a challenging time when I realized instead of being my own worst enemy, I could actually be my own best friend,” Kiyoko shares. “It’s about discovering and nurturing a strong friendship with yourself.”
Beyond its introspective qualities, Kiyoko also shared how the themes of this song are more topical than ever.
This song resonates even more so now with everyone experiencing isolation in quarantine, when we still somehow find the resilience to connect with one another and find comfort in each other,” she says.
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It’s clear that Kiyoko has been incredibly busy, as she directed the “Found My Friends” music video herself, with a Los Angeles background, specifically the historic (possibly haunted) Millennium Biltmore Hotel.
“The video concept for ‘Found My Friends’ was to capture a moment of being fully present in the moment and working through a feeling,” Kiyoko notes. “Whether it’s excitement, joy, or fear– it’s about taking control and owning it.”
Just like her personality and stage presence, this video is also vibrant, charming and unapologetically Kiyoko, focusing on details such as color and contrast. In fact, she didn’t use just any camera to capture her vision.
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“Color is always a huge inspiration and so it was truly a dream come true to have the opportunity to shoot this video entirely on film,” she says. “Shooting on film captures color differently than digital but can be a very challenging process because the lighting has to be perfect, the number of takes is limited, and you can’t see the true outcome until you are in the editing room.”
While she knows the world is still returning to some sort of normal, and many are adjusting to variations of social life, she wants fans to know the following: “I am so grateful for our crew who worked hard to pull it all off, especially while still following all the CDC Covid protocol to keep everyone safe on set. I hope when people watch ‘Found My Friends’ they share the same feelings of liberation that I felt when shooting it.”
Check out the brand-new track and accompanying self-directed “Found My Friends” music video featuring a unique vintage backdrop below.
More on Hayley Kiyoko
Kiyoko truly made a splash in the music scene in 2015 with her track “Girls Like Girls” on her This Side Of Paradise EP. This track was also one of the first mainstream modern pop hits to detail a girl coming in and romancing another girl who leaves her boyfriend, a powerful lesbian anthem. Co-directed by Kiyoko, the video tackles themes of lack of understanding and even assault toward the girls, reflecting real-world problems the LGBTQIA+ community face daily.
In 2018, Kiyoko shared her full-length debut with Expectations, featuring 13 personal tracks interlaced with upbeat pop sensibilities and catchy hooks that will make you want to get up and dance. Her single “Curious” is another breakout hit that explores sexual experimentation and Kiyoko’s own past relationship with a closeted partner.
With undeniable talent and stories to share, Kiyoko had the chance to open for the likes of Panic! At The Disco and work festival stages including Lollapalooza. Even more interestingly, she had the chance to duet her song “Curious” with Taylor Swift on the Reputation Stadium Tour.
Even with touring slowed to a halt in 2020 due to the pandemic, Kiyoko released several songs she featured on, including a remix of AJR‘s hit “Bang!” and MAX‘s “Missed Calls.”
Be sure to follow Kiyoko’s Instagram and Twitter for music and tour updates.