“Her irreverent lyricism and hip hop-infused beats and emo punk aesthetics make her a splash of cold water to the face as far as the pop landscape is concerned.” – Dazed
“A brilliantly chaotic sound” – i-D
“Gutsy and spiky-edged come to mind when digesting the alt-pop bops of Willow Kayne.” – The Line Of Best Fit
“The Gen Z talent links together huge opposing forces, creating her own potent brand of rebel-pop.” – Clash
After capturing imaginations with her rabble-rousing, genre-fluid debut single “Two Seater” back in May, London-via-Bristol superstar in waiting Willow Kayne has returned with a brand new single “I Don’t Wanna Know.”
Teaming up with UK hitmaker Oscar Scheller, “I Don’t Wanna Know” takes all of the attitude Willow has become synonymous with and ramps it up to 11 – taking cues from the old school rave culture that she is obsessed with by sticking a middle finger up to trolls over a drum & bass indebted backing. Inspired by the very real online abuse Willow received on TikTok, it’s a high energy example of just how unpredictable a talent Willow is, and how easy she makes it look; the track is packed with hilarious one-liners that cut those who have bullied her online to size. “I Don’t Wanna Know” is an empowering anthem that deals with real life Gen Z issues with a sense of confidence that feels so refreshing in the landscape of pop today.
Buy/Stream “I Don’t Wanna Know” here.
The track’s visual builds on Willow’s own postmodern sense of creation with a surreal take on the track’s subject matter. Directed by Bedroom (Beabadoobee, Arlo Parks, Sports Team), the video finds Willow falling victim to online trolls (also played by herself) before flying through cyberspace to learn that success is the best revenge, all in Willow’s own cartoonish, singular vision.
The video comes alongside the news that Willow has been nominated for the Rising Star award at this year’s Ivor Novello awards. Alongside the nomination, Willow has been paired in a mentorship scheme with legendary songwriter Nile Rodgers ahead of the ceremony on September 21st 2021.
Watch the “I Don’t Wanna Know” music video here.
A bracingly vivid look into the creative mind of one of 2021’s most fiercely uncompromising pop talents, “I Don’t Wanna Know” is the perfect example of Willow Kayne’s powers. Weaving relatable stories amongst high-energy unpredictable sonics, Willow is still breathing new life into a scene that’s been without anarchy and spontaneity for years, and in her hands, the future of pop will be anything but boring.
