Emotional honesty, lyrics of heartache and loss everyone can relate to and a stunning, unique voice… that’s why Inverness singer-songwriter Katie Gregson-MacLeod is expected to top the charts this Friday.
Katie, 21, has become a Tik Tok sensation after sharing a segment of her performing song Complex.
The beguiling, heart-achingly beautiful track is released via Columbia Records and had labels lined up to sign Katie who works in an Inverness coffee shop.
On listening to Complex it is clear why.
Complex has not only touched a nerve with a rapidly growing fan-base – it is a song that will touch their souls.
In the Tik Tok video, Katie sits alone at a piano, the only accompaniment to her achingly poignant singing. It is in stark contrast to Tik Tok which is all rapid motion, bright colours and grabbing attention.
Katie’s lyrics are straight from the heart in sensational song Complex
There is no artifice with Katie on this track or video. The lyrics are straight from the heart. They focus on feelings of self-doubt, heartache, anger and love.
Fans can relate to what Katie is singing and can get solace and strength from the song.
This is a track which I believe will be like a lifeboat in difficult seas for many people.
When they are feeling troubled, alone, sad or lost they can listen to it and be saved – if only briefly.
That is how powerful Complex is.
Beyond the poetic beauty of the lyrics there is also the delivery. Katie sings with an intimacy like she is performing to the listener alone. A late-night conversation from the heart.
Katie Gregson-MacLeod’s chorus is heart-breaking and still catchy
The chorus succeeds with the difficult balance of being heart-breaking and catchy.
Katie sings ‘But I’m wearing his boxers, I’m being a good wife
We won’t be together but maybe the next life
I need him like watеr, he lives on a landslide
I cry in his bathroom, hе turns off the big light
I’m being a cool girl, I’m keeping it so tight
I carry him home while my friends have a good night
I need him like water, he thinks that I’m alright
I’m not feeling human, I think he’s a good guy’
Thousands of fans will sing Katie’s lyrics back at sold-out arena shows
I fully expect thousands of fans to be singing those lyrics back to Katie at sold-out arena shows in the very near future.
Think Lewis Capaldi and Someone You Loved. A packed arena with fans singing in unison to a song of heartache.
It will be the same with Complex, with thousands of fans who have felt the same ‘complex’ emotions. Who have cried to the song, and found light and solace in it.
The song has also touched musicians. Having gone viral it inspired covers by artists such as Tom Walker, Camilla Cabello, King Princess and Madison Beer.
The simplicity of the TikTok footage is a juxtaposition to the complexity of the emotions. As Katie sings – “it’s complex”.
The great artists have this ability to forge an immediate emotional connection with the listener. Katie clearly has – and she has the world at her feet.
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