Released: 2017
You got it. Straight to business, “K.” by Cigarettes After Sex, a sumptuous ballad, is all about the intoxicating pull of new love – a whirlwind of passion, intimacy, and an undeniable longing for companionship. It captures perfectly the giddy limbo between casual and committed where everything is charged and yet uncertainty lurks. It’s about an emotional see-saw, with a lovely lady named Kristen at the centre.
Setting off with the lines “I remember when I first noticed that you liked me back”, they paint a portrait of a relationship at the pivotal moment where infatuation becomes a two-way thing. The scene that unfolds in a restaurant, waiting for a check, signifies a mundane moment that suddenly carries a spark. The earlier no-strings-attached love-making gains weight when he notices a change in her gaze.
The refrain, “Kristen, come right back/I’ve been waiting for you/To slip back in bed/When you light the candle”, is full of anticipation and longing. It emphasizes the recurring motif of the burning candle – a traditional symbol of warmth, romantic mood, and time passing.
The Lower East Side dancing, the flowers on the wall, and the preference for black attires – these are personal and vivid snapshots that add detail to their love story. It reinforces the idea that he likes her best when she’s in her element, and most importantly, when she’s just with him.
As we delve deeper, “And I’m kissing you/Lying in my room/Holding you/Until you fall asleep” gives us a raw picture of intimacy. Their physical closeness is highlighted here, making the song feel deeply personal and grounded.
The singer’s ultimate desire is crystallized in the lines, “And it’s just as good/As I knew it would be/Stay with me/I don’t want you to leave”. The euphoria of love meets the fear of loss, capturing the emotional spectrum of a budding relationship. Our singer-boy isn’t shy about his feelings and wants his dream girl Kristen to stick around. Sweet, ain’t it?
This is a love note sung out loud, capturing all the early thrills and chills of love. So if you are in love, or want to be, give “K.” a good listen. It’s like a sweet confection for your ears and heart.
