KTJ & Carly have been on our radar for quite some time & finally they have dropped their EP titled, “Identity”. It is no secret that these ladies are going to make powerful bops for years to come. The passion that KTJ & Carly put into their art is unlike any other.

Influenced by strong female artists like ROZES and Chloe X Halle, KTJ & CARLY continually pour their hearts into synthy-pop masterpieces. Even amid a pandemic, they continue to make their mark on live music, performing for the virtual Pridefest, and their own late-night sessions, deemed “Late Night Live.” This year marks another milestone in their already incredible careers, seeing them score their first feature film, “God Save The Queen,” directed by Jordan Danger. With the release of their electric debut, “Identity,” they plan to identify themselves as artists with a mission — to mark pop music with their unique DNA and a message that matters.

KTJ & Carly’s Debut EP “Identity” explores the tumultuous experience of finding yourself in a world filled with outside influences and immense pressure. From the start, it makes an immediate impact with a thumping beat and soaring hooks saturated with frustration on”SELL UR SOUL.” Between fluttering falsetto and silky alto, KTJ& CARLY are melodically and mentally lost in the glitz and glamour of social media and peer pressure to look perfect. As they sing, “in our quartervois we see cosmetic smiles and captions,” they call-out the tragic impact social media has on our psyche. 

As one-track fades into the next, they begin the synthy atmospheric reflection of banging down the door to someone’s heart on “LET ME IN.” Amidst funky beats and pitch-perfect vocals, it sparkles with pristine production. The track showcases the duo’s unique ability to build layers of vocals over one another until it’s unclear where one talent ends and the other begins. More than that, it examines how we start to lose ourselves to people who refuse to reveal their true selves to the world.

As our true identity fades, we give others the power to influence us with their falsehoods. On “ENABLE ME,” the simmering slow-building melody bursts into a raging, beat-forward explosion of a track. Hushed vocals mingle with signature synths and give rise to the emotional intensity of the unforgettable chorus. It’s a hard-hitting look at how we lose ourselves in other people, misplacing our identity and making the process of our self-discovery harder than ever.

Next up is “SOMEONE LIKE YOU,” a slow burn that shifts the focus to the duo’s undeniable vocal talent. As they play vocal gymnastics, layering one voice on top of the other, they hypnotize listeners with each passing chorus. This is the first flicker of realizing self-love’s power—the importance of knowing yourself instead of impressing someone else. For anyone who grew up amongst the social media influencers, their reflections and realizations ring true. Quiet and dreamy, “DEAD PERSON TALKING” sees a softer side of the duo as they dive deep into the power of depression in a world where everyone aims for perfection. It’s the ideal of-the-moment pop song, simmering with equal parts despair and strength in the search for purpose and identity. 

In a society where it’s normal to hide your pain under picture-perfect moments, KTJ & CARLY exam the impact of keeping it all inside on “ALMOST TRUE.” While they don’t force the heart wrenching jolt of it all into a standard ballad, they instead craft a low-key, synth-forward anthem that radiates with perfection. This track marks their awareness of the people around them, presenting a false identity to the world, and how it impacts their desire to find themselves.

The EP comes to an end with “DISTRACTIONS,” providing the perfect finish to a project that defines who KTJ & CARLY are as artists. It’s the pivotal turning point in self-discovery, where they realize distraction versus reality and begin to decide what’s truly important. The track combines everything they’re known for — soaring synths, introspective lyrics, booming beats, and of course, flawless vocals. The kiss-off track swells with emotion and billows with hooky melodies as the perfect finish to an incredibly vibrant musical experience

This EP is a great way to prep for wrapping up this horrible year that is 2020. KTJ & Carly reassure us that there is still beautiful music to enjoy that can keep us on a more positive note while we all learn to cope with the pandemic and our new normal that we are being faced with.

Be sure to check the girls out on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You don’t want to miss out on the art they are serving us with. Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below this post.