He has one of the stronger singing voices of his peppy peers, and he deploys it liberally across the album. Similarly, “iMissMe” is a fluorescent break-up anthem which finds him crooning alongside the ubiquitous Khalid. Even the hardships of courting sound like sugar when KYLE is serving them.
Kehlani makes for an ideal complement as the two riff about their lady interests wasting precious time. “Playinwitme,” with its piano-driven production more fit for Nickelodeon theme than a love song, creates the perfect space for his personality. With his cards on the table early, KYLE spends the rest of his debut foraying into buoyant pop rap. Lil Yachty, his “iSpy” co-conspirator, reprises his role as a Jiminy Cricket-esque conscience who aims to keep KYLE from wallowing as he embarks on his glo-up.
The message is clear from the outset: He’s going to smile anyway, even if it’s forced. On “Ups & Downs,” he raps about his big breakout year, how he “nearly had a mental breakdown and eight months later I had a hit.” His cadence flutters like a nursery rhyme and, combined with his lisp and nasally tones (his “ soccer mom voice” he called it), make even his most dour lyrics sound caked in hope.
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