Kristin Venae’s Still Here is a testament to the transformative power of pop when it’s executed with precision and soul.
The Sydney-based indie artist, often likened to Prince and Mariah Carey, steps forward with a track that refuses to be boxed in, blurring the lines between pop, funk, and dance with an effortless cool. From the outset, the crisp electric guitar riff signals intent: this isn’t background music, it’s a statement.
The groove is undeniable, a funk-laced undercurrent that pulses beneath Venae’s effortlessly controlled vocals. Her voice—silky yet commanding—navigates the track’s layers with the kind of dexterity that only comes from an artist deeply attuned to their craft. There’s a warmth and depth to her delivery, a sense that she’s not just performing these words, but living them.Lyrically, Still Here is deceptively simple, yet emotionally weighty. It’s not just a love song; it’s a meditation on commitment, on love as an action rather than just an emotion.
The refrain—‘Look at me, I’m still here / day after day, year after year’—lands with an understated poignancy, reinforcing the idea that love is sustained not by grand gestures, but by the quiet persistence of presence. In a landscape oversaturated with songs about fleeting passion or gut-wrenching heartbreak, Still Here feels like a rare thing: a celebration of the everyday, of the kind of love that stays.
‘‘ Her return is more than a comeback: it’s a reaffirmation of resilience.
But what makes Still Here truly compelling is its contrast between intimacy and grandeur. The verses feel confessional, almost delicate, before swelling into a chorus that bursts with anthemic intensity. The bridge is where the track takes its most intriguing turn—Venae allows space for vulnerability, acknowledging love’s complexities before launching into a soaring finale.
It’s here that her vocal range is most striking, transitioning seamlessly between tenderness and defiance, between restraint and release. Still Here is a defining moment for Venae as an artist. Having faced personal adversity, including a battle with Stage 2 breast cancer, her return is more than a comeback: it’s a reaffirmation of resilience. This is music with weight, with purpose, with a heartbeat. And if Still Here is any indication, Venae is only just beginning to show us what she’s capable of.
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