I must confess, I have re-written this article opening over ten times already, I guess it’s just the evolution of the creative process for me; might even be a symptom of the inspiration I have found in what Mister K (aka Kevin Roy) has chosen, or rather, accepted to do with his new music. This is a conscious artist that I have known about for a while now, and when I heard his two newest incredible singles titled Darker Days and Trump Suit I was honestly blown away by his brave new approach to both singing and song-writing.
I want to be as real with you as I can, because these two powerful and emotionally driven songs are nothing less than true authenticity put into sound. I know Kevin Roy personally, and when I first heard him play it was years back at the world-renowned Dauphin Countryfest, he was playing a stripped down blue-grass, story-driven style that could be found on his beautiful album ‘Heartworn Highways’ but that is Kevin Roy, and this is Mister K…and after hearing these two new tracks, it is clear to me that I have a lot to learn about Mister K.
Darker Days is about depression. It touches on the anxiety of being aware of one’s own darkness, and not quite being able to escape it completely; but still, maintaining the desire to continue to pursue a better day in-spite of the natural fear it brings. Mister K clearly draws inspiration from the great Neil Young this time around, and with an airy-soft voice and an old stand-up piano, Darker Days creates complex emotions out of such a simple sound; and it is quite simply put, magical.
I naturally gravitate towards music that digs deep emotionally and dares to act as a diary entry from the artist themselves, and Darker Days feel very much like that. The music video is simple and elegant, the colors are beautiful and muted, and just like the song itself, the video for Darker Days makes you feel as though you have ben invited to share in this personal moment.
This is not a song or a video that you put on in the background and go about doing other things. It is a song captures your attention, and every time I listen to this inspired song, I find myself getting lost in the honesty. “Well done Mister K, well done.”
Now, if Darker Days showed the fragile side of Mister K, the politically charged, follow-up anthem track titled Trump Suit shows Mister K’s sharp teeth. Leaving behind the small room with the old stand-up piano, Mister K takes us into the wide-open Canadian forests to open our minds and hearts up to something new, and it is a refreshingly-real experience. The music video is in-itself a great juxtaposition to the words found within the track itself. You have a theme that feels heavy and political, but visuals that feel warm and welcoming. There is a sense of anger here but also a sense of collected calmness. There is sadness, but there is also hope. If I were a betting man, I would say that Mister K feels strongly about the missteps we have been taking as a society. I would say that he is clearly saddened by the onslaught of negative news and lack of spiritual power left in those that are refusing to create the necessary changes.
For me, the song is a wake-up call to the ones that need to hear it; the artists. We are here as a reflection to the world around us, and it is our mission to share every angle that we can that might help create a positive change in this world that would dare elect such corrupt Trump Suit wearing leaders.
Trump Suit is a simple sounding song on the surface. It is one man, one guitar (and one bird call in the distance) echoing out into the great forest; with the depth and heaviness brought in by the lyrical content.
It is both a beautiful and difficult song, and I believe that it will speak differently to everyone that truly takes the time to listen to it, and not just those who choose to hear it.
Mister K has shown an evolution in his song-writing. He has embraced the brave forces to be found deep within one’s own heart, and then has shown the courage to bring those deep emotions to the surface for all of us to see. Both Darker Days and Trump Suit are two exciting new entries into the exceptional catalogue this artist has created, and as you can clearly tell, I am very excited to hear what Mister K has for us next, and if you take the time to listen to these two tracks, I know you will be as well.
Mister K can be found on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and his official Website.
