I stumbled across Terra Kin’s music on a cloudy wintery afternoon, and felt instantly comforted by her meditative, soulful jams.

Whilst you can imagine any of Terra Kin’s music as a backdrop to any candlelit jazz bar- which there is no shortage of in Scotland, from where she hails- the artist seems to have mastered a magic fusion of acoustic and ambient soundscapes. The artist says: 

“I actually hate any kind of categories, genre or labels, even in terms of my identity. It’s just kind of like, does it have to be this spelt-out thing?
I feel like we’re all just a product of our surroundings.”

Flames perfectly demonstrates this, with muted swirls of electronic sounds, traditional jazz and blues, cleanly cut with a raw and authentic vocal over an acoustic guitar. The result is a rich, but seemingly minimal sound, created by layers of different influences- some complex, some barely even noticeable. And isn’t that a perfect personification of the human experience!? Terra explains: 

“‘Flames’ is about facing the blunt reality of having to end a relationship. It’s that very fine line between feeling like the bad guy and allowing yourself to burn away and rise up from the ashes. In a state of self-deprecation but also liberation at the same time. I definitely feel like the villain a lot in my songwriting or at least depict myself in that way…it’s cathartic though, it allows me to accept that I will, and do, make mistakes.”

Terra’s music is honest and forthright, whilst sensitive and compassionate. Every track is like a warm hug, that guides you on a journey of introspection. Flames in particular conveys such strength in the acceptance of human vulnerability. Check it out below!