Opening the EP, “Platonic” sets the tone with a sparse, vocal-driven arrangement that spotlights Kali Claire’s remarkable range and effortless control. Her performance is both poised and intimate, drawing listeners in from the first note. “Love On Credit” follows as a shimmering R&B-pop statement, equal parts timeless and contemporary. Built on sleek, minimal production, it provides the perfect backdrop for Kali’s signature sultry tone to shine. Her honeyed vocals glide between layered harmonies that add warmth and depth, while lyrically she reflects on the instability of love built on shaky ground. With a balance of strength and vulnerability, she poses the question, “why can you never tell from the start?”, a line that encapsulates the familiar ache of investing in something that won’t last.
The title track, “How I Feel”, featuring Moelogo, is rich with emotion and gorgeous harmonies. Moelogo’s smooth, resonant tone beautifully complements Kali’s delicate softness as they sing of a love too strong to conceal or resist, even when fear lingers beneath the surface.
“Withdrawal Symptoms” follows as a heartfelt ode to the kind of connection that makes life feel fuller, and the ache that comes with its absence. It’s an elegant nod to classic R&B, showcasing Kali’s expressive phrasing and soulful delivery.
Energy rises on “Fever”, featuring Skiifall, where futuristic backing vocals and syncopated percussion create an infectious groove. Kali’s catchy lyricism and rhythmic flow dance effortlessly across the beat, offering a fresh, forward-thinking moment in the tracklist. Closing the EP “Weak” opens with sweeping, cinematic strings that immediately set a reflective tone before UK Garage percussion injects urgency and movement.
The interplay of vulnerability and rhythm perfectly frames Kali Claire’s silky, emotive vocals as she explores the tension between distance, ambition, and love. It’s a soulful, dance-ready reflection on missing someone while chasing your dreams, a fitting conclusion to an EP that’s as introspective as it is dynamic.
With How I Feel, Kali Claire delivers her most cohesive and compelling body of work yet, vulnerable yet self-assured, and sonically captivating from start to finish.
Talking on the EP, Kali tells us: ““How I Feel” pretty much sums me up — my mood runs the show. If I wake up feeling like Beyoncé, I’m smashing the gym. If I wake up feeling like a potato… well, maybe not. This project is a collection of all those moods and emotions, the highs, the lows, the in-betweens. I created the project everywhere — London, Bali, LA, even Vietnam on a solo trip where I reminded myself that I’m actually living my purpose (even if I was lost at the time). Those experiences, plus some life curveballs, really taught me that time is short, so why not spend it chasing joy, making happiness, and living fully? When you press play, I don’t mind what you feel — I just hope you feel something.”
Renowned for her rich, soulful vocals and raw, unapologetic lyricism, Kali Claire has steadily carved out a lane of her own in the UK music landscape. Singles “Weak” and “Love On Credit” have garnered support from the likes of WONDERLAND, GRM DAILY, and ONES TO WATCH, further building on the momentum of her critically acclaimed EP A Man’s World. Featuring standout tracks like “Temporary Feels,” “Bad Habits,” “Wild,” and “Disrespekt,” the project culminated in a sold-out headline show at The Grace in North London, a defining moment that cemented her arrival as a major force in live music. Since then, Kali has continued to evolve, releasing a string of emotionally resonant singles including “Weather Woman,” “Satellite,” and the captivating “Whole New Wardrobe” which she released earlier this year.
Kali’s influence stretches far beyond her own discography. She co-wrote “Wasted Energy” on Alicia Keys’ Grammy-winning 2020 album Alicia and has collaborated with an elite roster of artists and producers including Venna, Mabel, Not3s, Swag Did It, P2J, Arrow Benjamin, and Legendary Beatz.
With over 30M streams to her name and prominent features across BBC 1XTRA, NOTION, THE LINE OF BEST FIT, and more, Kali Claire has firmly established herself as one of the UK’s most exciting and versatile emerging artists. She’s supported Mabel on the High Expectations tour and shared the stage with icons like Tinie Tempah and MNEK at the GRM Awards.
Now, with the highly anticipated release of her brand-new EP How I Feel, Kali Claire continues the momentum of her defining breakthrough year.
How I Feel is available now via all major platforms.
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