Acclaimed queer Asian American singer/songwriter Kenton shares his brand new single Gift of Loneliness, an infectious pop banger and third single to be taken from his upcoming album, Sweetmouth, set to arrive in October.
Produced by Eric Cannata (Young the Giant), SameSame (Portugal. the Man), Gift of Loneliness details a story in his childhood when a girl came up to him saying that as a queer he had the gift of loneliness as he was never going to have a wife, children and all the things his Church deemed as signs of a full, blessed life. Kenton used this story as a way to show how his queerness has freed him from societal expectations and how he embraces this loneliness with open arms and stays true to who he is. I adore the tone of his voice and how passionate and confident his vocal delivery is, soaring effortlessly over the infectious electro-pop production that features shimmering synths, steady beats, cool rhythms and infectious hooks that got me singing along to it in no time. A gorgeous pop banger that you can check out below!
My pastor gave a sermon about the gifts of the spirit. They included prophecy, service, encouragement, and teaching. After, a girl came up to me, and without hesitation told me “you have the gift of loneliness.” We were maybe 10, but we both knew what she meant. I was queer. I was never going to have a wife, children, any of the things that our church deemed the emblems of a blessed life. God had “blessed” me with the gift of being alone forever. For years, I held onto that label, believing it made me less valuable, less lovable. Reflecting back on it now, I really do see it as a gift. My queerness, my loneliness, it has freed me from a lot of the expectations of society. Truth is, we’re all a bit lonely. The true gift of loneliness comes from embracing it with open arms.
