With a touch of 80s pop nostalgia fueled by synths, queer Asian-American singer-songwriter Kenton arrives on digital platforms with his new single “Gift of Loneliness,” a song steeped in sadness where he reflects on his sexuality and his journey toward self-validation.
The artist explains that the song was born from a deeply personal childhood story that stayed with him for many years. “My pastor gave a sermon about the gifts of the Spirit. They included prophecy, service, encouragement, and teaching. After, a girl came up to me, and without hesitation told me ‘You have the gift of loneliness’,” he shared.
Kenton immediately understood that, as a queer person, he would not have a wife and children or a traditional family, something highly valued in his culture. It took him years to realize it wasn’t something negative. “Reflecting back on it now, I really do see it as a gift. My queerness, my loneliness, has freed me from a lot of the expectations of society. Truth is, we’re all a bit lonely. The true gift of loneliness comes from embracing it with open arms.”
The song, rich in metaphors that drift between invasive, guilt-ridden thoughts and faded mantras of acceptance, is accompanied by a music video showing the singer lying in bed, alone with his thoughts. At times, two other men appear with him, moving in a choreographed sequence that seems to represent the desires he often tried to suppress to fit into a traditional Taiwanese home led by a pastor.
Kenton is no stranger to big stages. His powerful voice has led him to collaborate with high-profile projects like Postmodern Jukebox and Scary Pockets, and to share tours and shows with artists such as Billie Eilish, Demi Lovato, and Portugal. The singer also studied at USC’s prestigious Thornton School of Music, developing a level of versatility that has taken him into television, film, and even voice acting, lending his voice to productions for Disney and Netflix.
“Gift of Loneliness” is the third preview of “Sweetmouth,” an album Kenton describes as a process of reconciling with his past and an act of emotional liberation. It follows “I’m Breaking My Father’s Heart,” a ballad exposing the raw wound of trying to be someone you’re not, and “Wannabe American,” with its ironic tone and infectious rhythm.
Kenton will also be bringing “Gift of Loneliness” to the stage later this year, with an intimate show lined up for November 15 at Pasadena’s Boston Court, performances that promise to blend the unfiltered emotion of his recordings with the magnetic presence he commands live.
The new single, produced by Eric Cannata (Young the Giant) and SameSame (Portugal. The Man) encapsulates the essence of the artist: intimate lyrics, arrangements evoking the 80s pop era, and a vocal delivery that heightens emotional rawness, the most powerful bridge between a performer and their audience.
CONNECT WITH KENTON