ALBUM REVIEW: Katelyn Tarver Releases ‘SUBJECT TO CHANGE’
ALBUM REVIEW: Katelyn Tarver Releases ‘SUBJECT TO CHANGE’
Words By: Bethany Hildebrandt
Former Nickelodeon star Katelyn Tarver just released her latest record Subject To Change. Katelyn Tarver’s Subject To Change features peaceful and romanticizing pop songs that capture the essence of living as a young person in today’s modern world. With this follow-up to her 2018 EP Kool Aid, Katelyn proves that she has evolved musically and personally with bold indie-pop songs that capture real-life situations and feelings.
Originally from Glenville, Georgia, Katelyn moved to Los Angeles at 19 to pursue an entertainment career. Fans may recognize her from her recurring role in Nickelodeon’s Big Time Rush and shortly after landing the role, Katelyn began recording and releasing her own music independently. In 2014, she hit a major breakthrough in music when “Crazy Stupid Love” [a song Katelyn co-wrote for British Pop Artist Cheryl] hit number on the UK singles charts. Katelyn then made her debut as an artist in 2017, when her single “Weekend Millionaires” was released, which made it onto her debut EP Tired Eyes.
“Back To You” kicks off Subject To Change with an open invitation, explaining what the entire album is truly about- growing into an adult throughout your 20s and 30s with challenges that are often too relatable. With the calm and drifting vibes of the first track, the lyrics in the chorus are arguably the best ones on the album – “I was scared of changing losing in faith in whatever we had/Now we’re strangers we ain’t the same and maybe we lost a little more than we wanted to/Took a little time just to face the truth that’s all.” Flowing right into “Nicer,” the track offers smooth guitar tones and lyrics that reflect on how Katelyn used to be a people pleaser, but now she focuses more on how to please herself. “Downhill From Here” sets the tone for the album, questioning what life will be like when the craziness of early adult years calm down. With soothing piano riffs and Katelyn’s melodic harmonies with herself, it’s one that you will truly resonate with.
“All Our Friends Are Splitting Up” exclaims Katelyn’s ability to balance emotion with self-awareness. Although this track is absolutely devastating, Katelyn’s voice is so beautiful that it’s as if she’s soaring through it. Acting as the other side of the same coin, “Shit Happens” reminds you that you can’t always control what happens in the world and in life. The perfect visual for this song shows people living through tough days and situations, but making good out of bad situations is the best way to handle them.
“When I Leave Home” is the only way to close out the album, almost as if it’s a goodbye to “Back To You.” Once you reach the end of this illuminating album, it’s like there was so much growth throughout the entirety of Subject To Change. Every track on this album is almost a form of meditation, but something about “When I Leave Home” takes it even deeper.
The most intriguing part of this album is there’s a song for everyone on it, no matter what kind of emotions you’re feeling. Each track is completely unique with its own story. If you’re falling in or out of love, struggling with developing into an adult, or exploring within yourself — there’s a song for you. In comparison to Katelyn’s past work [Tired Eyes and Kool Aid], there’s a sense of maturity within this album. Her previous collections could be perceived as more adolescent, whereas in Subject To Change, her music has evolved with more sentimental meaning behind lyrics. Subject To Change is not only one of those albums you’ll fall in love with, but also Katelyn Tarver’s most important collection of music thus far.
