Anika Sloane presents her second single with a sharper emotional focus. “Kissed or Locked Away” exposes internal conflicts as they are. Hailing from Orange County, the singer explores in her lyrics the tension between the need for connection and a longing for solitude, approached with restraint and emotional clarity.
The song is built around a constant tension between the desire to be loved and the urge to disappear. That dual perspective runs through the lyrics and crystallizes in a lingering question, “Should I protect my peace / Should I start a war?” Aware that modern relationships exist in shades of grey, Sloane chooses to occupy that uncertainty honestly, allowing doubt to sit at the center of the narrative.
Musically, “Kissed or Locked Away” follows a restrained structure in which emotion builds without spilling over. The production, led by Adam Castilla (The Colourist) at Brick Mansion Recordings, supports the song’s narrative with precision, keeping Anika’s voice as the clear focal point. Nothing feels excessive; each element works to reinforce a sense of emotional fatigue.
Sloane’s voice is one of the single’s strongest elements. Her background in choir and opera translates into a refined vocal control, allowing her to move between fragility and intensity without losing a sense of naturalness. Subtle echoes of Sheryl Crow’s grounded presence coexist with the emotional intimacy of Ally Evenson and Leyla Ebrahimi without ever eclipsing her own identity.
Anika’s personal journey adds further depth to her artistic vision. After dedicating a decade to soccer and facing a knee injury that closed that chapter, music emerged as a return to something that had always been there.
With “Kissed or Locked Away,” Anika Sloane shows a project moving forward with clear intention and coherence. Following the positive reception of her debut single, “Wish You Made Me Hate You,” this release strengthens an artistic narrative shaped by conscious vulnerability and unresolved inner conflict. With her live debut planned for early 2026, Sloane emerges as a voice that understands not every story needs closure to feel real.
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