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Running Against the Wind, but Singing Through It.
- Editorial Board
- Apr 11
- 3 min read
Kat Upchurch doesn’t just survive change, she scores it with harp strings, heartbeat drums, and the kind of honesty that leaves shadows talking back.
Kat Upchurch’s latest single “Change” is a vulnerable, soul-wrought ballad carried by a minimal but emotionally rich arrangement of harp and drums, showcasing her uncanny ability to capture the quiet ache of growth and disconnection. For fans of artists like Phoebe Bridgers, early Joni Mitchell, or even Lucy Dacus, “Change” is a welcome deep breath in a world that often demands too much and gives too little in return.
The track opens with a mesmerizing harp motif—delicate, crystalline, and emotionally potent. The harp doesn’t just accompany Upchurch’s voice; it weaves itself into the emotional DNA of the track, evoking a kind of soft, internal unraveling. Paired with a sparse, heartbeat-like drum pattern, the rhythm pulses like introspective footsteps down a long hallway of memory. The combination is hypnotic—reminiscent of traditional folk instrumentation, but presented with a modern, moody clarity that makes it feel contemporary and timeless at once.
What stands out most is that the production resists the urge to overcomplicate. The sparseness leaves plenty of room for Upchurch’s vocals to breathe, making every crack and breath part of the storytelling. It’s clear the track was built around the voice—and what a voice it is.
Upchurch’s vocal delivery is refreshingly unvarnished. There's no theatricality or artificial polish, only a kind of naked sincerity that draws you in rather than demanding attention. She sings like someone telling you the truth at 2 a.m., when the world is quiet and you’re too tired to lie. You feel every word because she means every word.
There’s a distinct vulnerability in her tone—resigned, but not bitter. Emotional, but not indulgent. When she delivers the line, “I just needed to see myself again,” it doesn’t feel like an apology—it feels like an awakening. That blend of honesty and fragility is where the song lives, and where Upchurch clearly thrives as an artist.
Lyrically, “Change” grapples with the difficult, often painful terrain of self-discovery and emotional divergence. The narrative speaks to the guilt that comes with outgrowing someone, not out of malice, but out of necessity. The refrain, “I never meant to change on you,” is both confession and lament—an acknowledgment that growth can feel like betrayal even when it’s not.
Standout lines like “Life has a way of dealing cards where you choose with the head or with the heart” and “I can’t be what you need and still be the best version of me” cut deep, speaking to the complex negotiations between self-preservation and loyalty. These are not the words of someone casually writing a break-up song—they’re the words of someone processing a spiritual shift.
“Change” is not a song that begs for radio play—it’s a song that finds its audience in quiet rooms, long drives, and late-night introspection. It’s meditative without being passive, emotionally open without oversharing. Kat Upchurch isn’t trying to be anything other than real, and in doing so, she delivers something rare: a song that understands you before you even realize you need to be understood.
Whether you're mourning a relationship, navigating the discomfort of self-growth, or just craving something honest in a world full of filters, “Change” offers gentle solace and fierce authenticity. It doesn’t try to fix you—it just sits with you, like a friend who gets it.
Don't Forget To Follow Kat Upchurch On Goathead And Listen To Change On All Streaming Platforms
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