Kiss in Songs
{{short description|2019 single by Oh Land}}
{{good article}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Kiss in Songs
| cover = Oh Land "Kiss in Songs".jpg
| alt = An embroidered design of a pair of red lips, appears on a white rectangle surrounded by a red border and the song's title "Kiss in Songs".
| border = yes
| type = single
| artist = Oh Land
| album = Family Tree
| released = {{Start date|2019|03|22|df=yes}}
| recorded =
| studio =
| genre = Electronic
| length = {{duration|m=4|s=12}}
| label = Tusk or Tooth
| writer =
- Nanna Øland Fabricius
- Thomas Bartlett
| producer = Thomas Bartlett
| chronology = Oh Land
| prev_title = Brief Moment
| prev_year = 2019
| next_title = Salt (Arthur Moon Remix)
| next_year = 2019
| misc =
}}
"Kiss in Songs" is a song by Danish singer and songwriter Oh Land for her fifth studio album, Family Tree (2019). Oh Land wrote the song with the sole producer, Thomas Bartlett. It was digitally distributed as the third single from the album on 22 March 2019, through Tusk or Tooth Records. The song's release came with the announcement of new dates for her ongoing promotional Family Tree tour. It is an electronic song with a melancholic, piano and string-led production. Venezuelan-American singer-songwriter Devendra Banhart provides background vocals on the song.
The lyrics of "Kiss in Songs" detail Oh Land's desire to find someone who she can communicate with on a musical basis. It also serves as a reminder to Oh Land about what is important to her. The song received generally favourable reviews from music critics, with some reviewers calling it beautiful and happy. Oh Land has since performed the song at the Koncerthuset in Copenhagen in September 2019.
Background and release
After the release of Earth Sick (2014), her fourth studio album, Oh Land divided her time up for a number of side projects, including the recording of soundtracks Askepot (2016) and Watermusic (2018), and a cover of Denmark's national anthem for the 2018 television series The Rain.{{cite news|title=Teater & Dans: Askepot|url=http://www.tivoli.dk/da/teater/2016/askepot|access-date=28 January 2017|publisher=Tivoli|language=Danish|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110110947/http://www.tivoli.dk/da/teater/2016/askepot|archive-date=10 November 2016|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |title=Watermusic (Original Soundtrack) by Oh Land |website=Amazon |url=https://www.amazon.com/Watermusic-Original-Soundtrack-Oh-Land/dp/B07QGKXQD1 |access-date=9 December 2020 |date=30 March 2018 |archive-date=9 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209231808/https://www.amazon.com/Watermusic-Original-Soundtrack-Oh-Land/dp/B07QGKXQD1 |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |last1=Kreps |first1=Daniel |title=Oh Land to Return in 2019 with 'Deeply Personal' Album |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/oh-land-new-album-2019-694730/ |access-date=17 May 2019 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=2 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517013012/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/oh-land-new-album-2019-694730/ |archive-date=17 May 2019 |url-status=live }} In 2018, she revealed to Rolling Stone that her then-upcoming album would be released in 2019 and was inspired by several recent events of her personal life, such as the divorce from her husband, her second pregnancy, and relocating back to Denmark.{{cite magazine |last1=Fernando |first1=Madeleine |title=Oh Land Releases Her Most Vulnerable Album Yet in 'Family Tree': Exclusive |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8509077/oh-land-family-tree-album-stream |access-date=17 May 2019 |magazine=Billboard |date=30 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612135707/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8509077/oh-land-family-tree-album-stream |archive-date=12 June 2019 |url-status=live }} As she began songwriting sessions, Oh Land started to focus on relearning how to play the piano, which resulted in a sound and tonal shift for the album.{{cite web |title=Oh Land – Family Tree – Tour |url=https://musikhusetaarhus.dk/arrangementer/oh-land-family-tree-tour/?orcdst=1 |publisher=Musikhuset Aarhus |access-date=10 December 2020 |language=Danish |archive-date=11 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211210007/https://musikhusetaarhus.dk/arrangementer/oh-land-family-tree-tour/?orcdst=1 |url-status=live }}
"Kiss in Songs" was first announced to the public in a press release that stated it would be the third single from Family Tree. The song was released for digital download and streaming in Denmark and the United States on 22 March 2019, through Tusk or Tooth Records.{{cite web |title=Kiss in Songs by Oh Land |website=Amazon |url=https://www.amazon.com/Kiss-Songs-Oh-Land/dp/B07P7YG4CC |access-date=11 December 2020 |date=22 March 2019 |archive-date=12 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212052448/https://www.amazon.com/Kiss-Songs-Oh-Land/dp/B07P7YG4CC |url-status=live }} The song's cover art uses an original, hand-embroidered design that was created by Danish artist Sarah Becker. "Kiss in Songs" served as the third single from Family Tree, following the releases of "Human Error" and "Brief Moment".{{cite news |last1=Kenneally |first1=Cerys |title=Oh Land shares endearing new track 'Brief Moment' |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/oh-land-shares-endearing-new-track-brief-moment |access-date=9 December 2020 |work=The Line of Best Fit |date=22 February 2019 |archive-date=9 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209231809/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/oh-land-shares-endearing-new-track-brief-moment |url-status=live }} The song's release came alongside the addition of more European tour dates for Oh Land's promotional Family Tree tour, which was first announced on 22 February 2019. On 3 May 2019, "Kiss in Songs" was included as the fourth track on Oh Land's fifth studio album Family Tree.{{cite news|title=Oh Land – Family Tree|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/family-tree-mw0003273599|access-date=10 December 2020|publisher=AllMusic|archive-date=11 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211210007/https://www.allmusic.com/album/family-tree-mw0003273599|url-status=live}}
In the song's press release, Oh Land explained that it serves as a reminder for her as to why she makes music: "I guess the whole reason I do music is that I express myself more clearly through melodies and singing."{{cite news |title=Oh Land Releases New Single Kiss In Songs Featuring Devendra Banhart |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Oh-Land-Releases-New-Single-KISS-IS-SONGS-Featuring-Devendra-Banhart-20190325 |access-date=11 December 2020 |publisher=BroadwayWorld |date=25 March 2019 |archive-date=12 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212052539/https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Oh-Land-Releases-New-Single-KISS-IS-SONGS-Featuring-Devendra-Banhart-20190325 |url-status=live }} It was written by Oh Land and Thomas Bartlett, the latter of which solely produced the track. Oh Land received additional credits for creating the melody and lyrics for "Kiss in Songs". The song was mastered by UE Nastasi at Sterling Sound Studios in Edgewater, New Jersey.{{cite web |title=UE Nastasi: Mastering Engineer |url=https://sterling-sound.com/engineer/ue-nastasi/ |publisher=Sterling Sound |access-date=9 December 2020 |archive-date=1 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101070417/https://sterling-sound.com/engineer/ue-nastasi/ |url-status=live }} It was mixed by Patrick Dillett, while Peter Pejtsik served as the track's conductor.
Composition and lyrics
File:DUKOFF BANHART.jpg (shown) provides background vocals on "Kiss in Songs".|alt=A color photograph of Venezuelan-American musician Devendra Banhart performing live in 2017.]]
Musically, "Kiss in Songs" is a melancholic electronic song that is backed by piano and strings.{{cite web |last1=Vierra |first1=Erin |title=Oh Land Shares New Single 'Kiss In Songs' Featuring Guest Vocals by Devendra Banhart |url=https://music.mxdwn.com/2019/03/25/news/oh-land-shares-new-single-kiss-in-songs-featuring-devendra-banhart/ |publisher=Mxdwn.com |access-date=11 December 2020 |date=25 March 2019 |archive-date=12 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212052448/https://music.mxdwn.com/2019/03/25/news/oh-land-shares-new-single-kiss-in-songs-featuring-devendra-banhart/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Svidt |first1=Ole Rosenstand|title=Bedst Lige Nu: 12 nye, håndplukkede tracks |url=https://gaffa.dk/artikel/136254/bedst-lige-nu-12-nye-handplukkede-tracks |access-date=12 December 2020 |work=Gaffa |date=22 March 2019 |language=Danish |archive-date=12 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212202342/https://gaffa.dk/artikel/136254/bedst-lige-nu-12-nye-handplukkede-tracks |url-status=live }} Ole Rosenstand Svidt from Gaffa placed the song among the most ecclesiastical in Oh Land's discography. Of similar nature, Simon Bækgaard from SoundVenue described the song's melody as something one would associate with Sunday High mass. He also stated that the instrumental introduction reminded him of a hymn.{{cite news |last1=Bækgaard |first1=Simon |title=Oh Land Giver En Tour De Force In Skrøbelig Sangskrivning |url=https://soundvenue.com/musik/2019/05/oh-land-giver-en-tour-de-force-i-skroebelig-sangskrivning-359361 |access-date=13 December 2020 |work=SoundVenue |language=Danish |date=7 May 2019 |archive-date=19 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719014002/http://soundvenue.com/musik/2019/05/oh-land-giver-en-tour-de-force-i-skroebelig-sangskrivning-359361 |url-status=live }} "Kiss in Songs" is accompanied by a piano, played by Bartlett, who was also in charge of additional musical arrangements.
According to its sheet music, "Kiss in Songs" is set in the time signature of common time, and has a moderately slow tempo of 80 beats per minute. The song is composed in the key of C major and it follows the setup of a verse, followed by chorus-verse-chorus and a post-chorus.{{cite book |last1=Fabricius |first1=Nanna Øland |last2=Bartlett |first2=Thomas |authorlink1=Oh Land |authorlink2=Doveman |title=Kiss In Songs: Sheet Music, Lyrics by Nanna Øland Fabricius, Thomas Bartlett |date=2019 |publisher=Universal Music Group}} Venezuelan-American singer-songwriter Devendra Banhart provides background vocals on the track.
Lyrically, "Kiss in Songs" features Oh Land describing how her potential love interest is able to communicate with her through music as opposed to just speaking. With the song, she attempts to "forget [about] the ways we are used to using language" and instead "communicate on a more primal level".{{cite news |last1=Anders |first1=Simon |title=Oh Land Releases New Single 'Kiss In Songs' Featuring Devendra Banhart |url=https://www.withguitars.com/oh-land-releases-new-single-kiss-in-songs-featuring-devendra-banhart/ |access-date=12 December 2020 |work=WithGuitars |date=25 March 2019 |archive-date=12 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212052452/https://www.withguitars.com/oh-land-releases-new-single-kiss-in-songs-featuring-devendra-banhart/ |url-status=live }} Oh Land explained the overall meaning of "Kiss in Songs": "In this song, I find someone who understands my language."{{cite news |last1=Vigil |first1=Dom |title=Oh Land Shares New Single, 'Kiss In Songs' |url=https://preludepress.com/news/2019/03/26/oh-land-shares-new-single-kiss-in-songs/ |access-date=14 December 2020 |work=Prelude Press |date=26 March 2019 |archive-date=14 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214003153/https://preludepress.com/news/2019/03/26/oh-land-shares-new-single-kiss-in-songs/ |url-status=live }} In the song's chorus, Oh Land admits to her lover: "And while history is written / And politics is spitten / We kiss in songs / And I'm missing you."
Reception and promotion
"Kiss in Songs" was met with generally favourable reviews from music critics. Svidt featured the song in his column of the week's 12 best new songs, for Gaffa, during the third week of March 2019. In his review, he called Oh Land's voice pleasant-sounding due to her shift towards a more organic creative direction. He also considered the song among Oh Land's other music that sounds magical. Bækgaard labelled the song beautiful and explained that it may contain some of the best chords he had heard in a while. Emma Sejersen, a writer for Politiken, enjoyed the song, calling it one of the happiest-sounding tracks on Family Tree.{{cite news |last1=Sejersen |first1=Emma |title=Oh Land om sin smertefulde skilsmisse: Heldigvis har vi kunnet samarbejde om Svend lige fra begyndelsen |url=https://politiken.dk/kultur/musik/art7096258/»Heldigvis-har-vi-kunnet-samarbejde-om-Svend-lige-fra-begyndelsen« |access-date=13 December 2020 |work=Politiken |date=4 May 2019 |language=Danish |archive-date=13 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201213052852/https://politiken.dk/kultur/musik/art7096258/%C2%BBHeldigvis-har-vi-kunnet-samarbejde-om-Svend-lige-fra-begyndelsen%C2%AB |url-status=live }} Erin Vierra, from Mxdwn.com, also called "Kiss in Songs" a beautiful song, and said it "lifts the listener up and refuses to let go".
In September 2019, Oh Land performed a live show at Koncerthuset in Copenhagen. During the concert, she opened the night with a performance of "Kiss in Songs", followed by fellow album tracks "Sunlight" and "Make My Trouble Beautiful". Ivan Rod, a contributor to Gaffa, reviewed her performance and found that the aforementioned songs could have benefitted from being performed in a more intimate setting, due to their quiet nature. He wrote that although the songs were unable to meet the fullness of the performance space, they ended up being some of the highlights of Oh Land's show.{{cite news |last1=Rod |first1=Ivan |title=Oh Land, Koncertsalen, Koncerthuset: Renæssancepige bag et filter |url=https://gaffa.dk/anmeldelse/139282/renaessancepige-bag-et-filter |access-date=12 December 2020 |work=Gaffa |date=5 September 2019 |archive-date=11 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211210122/https://gaffa.dk/anmeldelse/139282/renaessancepige-bag-et-filter |url-status=live |language=Danish }}
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Family Tree.{{cite AV media notes |title=Family Tree |type=LP liner notes |others=Oh Land |year=2019 |publisher=Universal Music Group, Tusk or Tooth Records |id= UNI 77 37921}}
- Nanna Øland Fabricius{{spaced ndash}}lyrics, melody, music
- Thomas Bartlett{{spaced ndash}}production, additional arrangements, piano
- Patrick Dillett{{spaced ndash}}mixing
- UE Nastasi{{spaced ndash}}mastering
- Peter Pejtsik{{spaced ndash}}conductor
- Devendra Banhart{{spaced ndash}}background vocals
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release dates and formats for "Kiss in Songs" ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format(s) ! scope="col"| Label ! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|References}} |
| scope="row" | Denmark
| rowspan="2" | 22 March 2019 | rowspan="2" | {{hlist|Digital download|streaming}} | rowspan="2" | Tusk or Tooth | style="text-align:center;"| {{cite web |title=Kiss In Songs – Single – Oh Land |url=https://music.apple.com/dk/album/kiss-in-songs-single/1455633780 |publisher=Apple Music (DK) |access-date=11 December 2020 |date=22 March 2019 |archive-date=12 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212052450/https://music.apple.com/dk/album/kiss-in-songs-single/1455633780 |url-status=live }} |
|---|
| scope="row" | United States |
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Oh Land}}
{{Devendra Banhart}}
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Category:Song recordings produced by Doveman