Amythyst Kiah’s Still + Bright is an audacious, introspective exploration of defiance, resilience, and collective reckoning. Building on the emotional rawness of her breakthrough album Wary + Strange, this release delves deeper into Kiah’s prowess as a songwriter and storyteller, offering a reflection on struggles both earthly and spiritual, and a quest for human connection.
The album opens with the intense duet, “Play God and Destroy the World,” featuring S.G. Goodman. The track sets a bold tone with its fierce critique of hypocrisy, especially within the religious institutions Kiah grew up with in her youth. Raised as a Black, LGBTQ individual in Chattanooga, Kiah intertwines personal and collective histories, confronting judgment and oppression head-on with powerful, defiant lyrics like “I want to burn every cross that you hide behind.”
This sense of defiance runs through Still + Bright. Songs like “Die Slowly Without Complaint” (featuring Avi Kaplan) evoke vivid imagery of systemic cruelty and historical injustice, driven by fuzzy guitars and haunting vocal melodies. Similarly, “God’s Under the Mountain” transforms despair into resolve, with Kiah finding strength not in heavenly realms but in earthly persistence, boldly declaring, “There are gods under the mountains.”
Despite the album’s weighty themes, it is also alive with rhythmic energy that amplifies its message. Producer Butch Walker’s dynamic touch enhances tracks like “Silk and Petals,” where steady beats support Kiah’s reflective lyrics on resilience. The raucous energy of “I Will Not Go Down” (with Billy Strings) embodies her refusal to be defeated, even in the face of existential doubt.
However, Kiah also embraces softer, more introspective moments. The delicate “S P A C E” pares back the music, offering a tender longing for peace and understanding. The album’s emotional arc progresses with “Let’s See Ourselves Out,” a reflective piece on human fragility set to acoustic guitar and harmonica, culminating in the hopeful “People’s Prayer.” In this final track, Kiah offers a collective affirmation of strength, leaving listeners with a sense of quiet optimism.
With Still + Bright, Amythyst Kiah solidifies her place as both a formidable musical artist and a thought-provoking voice. The album strikes a balance between emotional intensity and philosophical depth, challenging, comforting, and ultimately inspiring. Its title serves as a guiding light, offering hope in the face of darkness. – Jason Felton