Review
Hayley Kiyoko's 'Expectations' dances across genres with the grace of a seasoned performer, weaving dreamy R&B textures with pop beats that stick with you long after the music stops. Released in March 2018, this debut major label album introduces us to Kiyoko's authentic storytelling style through singles like 'Curious,' 'Feelings,' and 'Sleepover,' each track moving with its own emotional rhythm. The two-part composition 'Under the Blue/Take Me In' particularly showcases her artistic range, transitioning seamlessly between light, airy moments and more grounded, rhythmic passages that pull you into her world.
What makes 'Expectations' truly shine is how Kiyoko choreographs her personal experiences into universal emotions, creating music that moves both body and soul. Her collaboration with Kehlani on 'What I Need' adds another dimension to the album's contemporary R&B influences, while the pulsating energy of 'Curious' captures the complicated dance of questioning an ex's new relationship. The album closes with the mature, forward-looking 'Let It Be,' a thoughtful finale that feels like the perfect ending pose to this musical performance. Through her unapologetic representation of queer experiences, Kiyoko has created an album that resonates deeply, especially within LGBTQ+ communities, establishing herself as a distinctive voice whose movements through the pop landscape are worth following. - Maya
