“too late now is a standout track from retriever, a “queer love ballad” full of vulnerability wrapped in a thin layer of denial and self preservation.“

Kevin Atwater’s debut ep, ‘retriever’ delivers stripped down vulnerability on ‘too late now’.

NYC based singer-songwriter, actor and TikTok sensation Kevin Atwater released his debut ep retriever on January 21, showcasing 6 carefully crafted indie-folk tracks. Kevin comes from a classically trained background, learning piano and clarinet from a young age, but much of his inspiration is found in folk icons like Joni Mitchell and Nick Drake, which shines clearly through his focus on heart-pulling melodies and intricate acoustic guitar accompaniments.

too late now is a standout track from retriever, a “queer love ballad” full of vulnerability wrapped in a thin layer of denial and self preservation. “Did I say I need you? You know I didn’t mean to,” is the first lyric, but as the song continues, a story of hesitation and loss unfolds. “Is it too late now to admit the fear is real?” Kevin asks in the third verse. The relationship portrayed in the song is something many queer listeners will deeply relate to, a story about falling in love despite all of your doubts and fears.

Kevin Atwater produced this song himself in his bedroom, at one point in the outro you can clearly hear the static in the audio as Kevin sings directly to the listener. You get the sense that you are listening to a voice message left on someone else’s phone, an incredibly intimate moment that you shouldn’t be part of. Rich harmonies are woven throughout the track, carrying the high melodic points and giving the lyrics additional warmth and impact.

The impact of Kevin’s songwriting lies in his ability to deftly communicate complex, difficult emotions in a couple lines, unflinchingly exposed and grounded in his queer identity. All in all, this is a promising release from an emerging artist that you don’t want to miss.

Listen to and follow - Kevin Atwater - On Spotify