Hey, everyone! Long time, no reviews. So sorry for that; if you've been following my Instagram stories, you might be aware of the situation, but if you're out of the loop, please allow me to give you a brief update. My best friend and I have recently bought our first house and have been packing like crazy and trying to move in for a while, it's quite a way from our old homes as well as my place of work. Getting used to the commute, the house, allowing my animals to get comfortable, and unpacking everything (specifically setting up my computer to publish these reviews) has been so insanely hectic and overwhelming. Because of this AND IN ADDITION to this, there have been some hiccups with some of the bands and scheduling (nothing bad whatsoever!!! Not throwing any shade at anyone, life happens and I am very understanding, flexible, and receptive to that!) so things have been very chaotic and unorganized for the last month or so. I am excited to get back on track with more reviews more consistently. I am greatly appreciative of Kay Roman for being so patient and cooperative throughout this entire process and I have been ecstatic to talk about their newest song “Toothache”!
Kay Roman is an alternative/pop singer-songwriter from Jersey City. This single was released on November 1st, 2024; the song clocks in at just over two minutes long and opens with a brief drumroll before the droning fuzziness of the guitar blasts in alongside the vocals.
“You know I've got a toothache
And it's bleeding like a mistake
Take my hand I'm scared that it's fake
Take my hand I'm scared it's too late”
These opening lyrics set the tone and themes of the song right off the bat. The titular toothache is a constant, incessant, nagging pain, both physically and emotionally. There is a mix of bodily imagery of discomfort with regret. The repetition of “it's too late” suggests something irreversible; there is a fear that healing may no longer be attainable, or may take much longer than originally hoped/anticipated. The chorus then kicks in with the lyrics:
“Bleeding out on the street
Crying comes so naturally
I wish you would come back
Called my mom something's wrong
She's asking me what drugs I'm on
I'm hoping this won't last
I wish you would come back”
There is a public unraveling or emotional breakdown on the street, this grief has become habitual. There’s a raw confession in reaching out to the mother, but her reaction indicates misunderstanding, isolation, or concern about the narrator’s mental state. The mother being dismissive of this pain, and more preoccupied with the idea that this hysteria must be a byproduct of drug usage is devastating and misplaced judgment, but all too relatable. Those specific lines, “Called my mom something's wrong, she's asking me what drugs I'm on” are hands down my favorite lyrics of the song. I also love that this song sticks with the metaphor of a toothache, I thought the asking of “what drugs are you on” could also be a reference to how people get all loopy and weird after taking laughing gas to undergo dental surgeries. In the following stanza, we have the lyrics
“You know I've got a sweet spot
For fantasizing things I don't want
Choking on a pill that got caught
Choking on the thought that you're gone”
The emotional pain is internalized further. The “sweet spot” for unwanted fantasies suggests a destructive tendency of being drawn to thoughts that hurt. The imagery of “choking on a pill” mirrors the idea of trying to escape pain but being unable to, whether through medication or denial. It also conveys the idea of trying to help yourself through the pain, but all the means end up actually making things worse. The parallel “choking on the thought that you’re gone” heightens this anguish. The repetition of “you’re gone” cements the reality of loss.
“Why can't you just spit in my eye
I'll never ever have to lie
I wish I could hate you
I used to sleep on your couch
Do you even know what I do now
Everyone asks about you
I wish you would come back”
This is the most confrontational and emotionally raw stanza. The line “Why can't you just spit in my eye” suggests a desire for closure through cruelty, better to be hated than forgotten. The speaker admits they wish they could hate the person, showing that this emotional connection still lingers despite everything. Nostalgia creeps in with “I used to sleep on your couch,” grounding the loss in shared memories. The line “Do you even know what I do now” emphasizes disconnect and invisibility. The final repetitions of “come back” feel like a breakdown, or an emotional climax, pleading, desperate, and unresolved. “Toothache” is a visceral, pop-punk anthem that captures an incredible tone musically, and the vocals are the perfect blend of angsty, upset, and beautiful. It has been such a pleasure to witness Kay Roman exploring a variety of vibes and musical stylings throughout their entire discography, and this song is exactly what you'd expect from the title “Toothache”. Kay externalizes internal anguish, giving listeners a glimpse into a deeply personal emotional crisis. I am thrilled to have had the honor to cover this track, and I sincerely hope you all stream this song, or better yet, do a deep dive through their entire discography. Show Kay some support through whatever means you are able to! You can continue reading down below to get to know the artist behind the music much better in our interview portion!
Interview:
Hey, Kay! Thank you so much for joining me for an interview. I've been a long-term fan of yours ever since your song “Love” came out back in 2018!
Your song “Toothache” came out on November 1st, 2024 and is currently your most recent single; how long did it take you to write, record, edit, mix, and release this song? Was it an enjoyable process or was it frustrating and difficult at times?
Kay: I feel like toothache took me five minutes to write, it came so naturally! What took the longest was finding the motivation to record the demo and teach the song to my band. The song lived in my notebook for so long because I felt too overwhelmed in my personal life to create. I’m so happy that the song is finally out there in the universe.
What inspired the creation of this song? Is there a specific story that led to the writing of it? What does this track mean to you?
Kay: At the time I wrote it I was listening to a lot of Charly Bliss and Joyce Manor and wanted to write something fuzzy and bratty. I felt really lonely and lost and just wanted to yell and be nasty. The song is just going “go on git!” because I missed my friends and was too stubborn to articulate it or move on. It’s a bratty platonic heartbreak song. The original lyric was “all my hot friends ask about you” instead of “everyone” so no one would think it was about some guy.
How did you get started making music? What was the first instrument you picked up and when did you realize this would be something you wanted to pursue?
Kay: When I was a kid I would sing all the time. My parents said I would sing when I liked my food before I could talk. Unfortunately, it’s a very boring answer, but I genuinely don’t remember ever wanting to do anything else! When I was around pre-k age I made up my own words to sk8r boi about people dying in a fire and have been telling people I’m a rockstar ever since.
What are your favorite and least favorite aspects of being a musician? Anything from the writing process all the way to self-promotion and whatever else you can think of in between.
Kay: The only thing I don’t like about being a musician is the social media/networking part of it. My social anxiety eats me alive! The best part is singing and making new friends. Truly the best two things in life are singing and making new friends…even with my social anxiety.
Do you have a favorite song you've ever written? Why is that one your favorite?
Kay: Glad 2 is really fun because screaming is fun and it’s so interesting. I also love Blue Jay, but that’s mostly because it seems to be everyone else’s favorite. Having other people like your art is pretty cool.
What is next for Kay Roman, the musician? Anything in the works that you can share with us today? What should we expect next?
Kay: Right now I’m working on a few collabs with friends that I’m excited about. Can’t announce anything yet BUT WATCH THIS SPACE. Kidding! But making music with friends is so validating and I learn so much from them. Excited for when it’s time to release them.
If given the opportunity, is there anything you would change about this song, or anything you'd do differently during the process?
Kay: I wish I could change the lyric back to “hot friends.” That’s so funny.
Were there any learning curves you had to get through with this song?
Kay: The biggest curve was learning how to get out of my own way! Sometimes you just have to create and not care what anyone else thinks.
Give me your own personal sales pitch for this song, and your music in general! Who would enjoy your style, what is your biggest strength as an independent artist, what makes you stand out?
Kay: Once I was told to always say “I make good music” when people ask what kind of music I make and I’m sticking to that. I write what I think and how I feel and sometimes people can relate and that rocks. Toothache is for fans of jumping on the bed, going to the beach when it's chilly out, and skate shoe advertisements of teens jumping over concrete because having a skateboard in the picture would block the shoes.
Since the song is called “Toothache” do you have any nightmare dentist/tooth related experiences?
Kay: Once a dentist scammed my mom (me by proxy) and said I had like one billion cavities and did a bunch of botched filling around my mouth. Went to a different dentist and I have never had a cavity. The proof was he didn't drill anything, just covered my teeth in botched filling I spent a lot of money as an adult to fix. Fuck you dentist behind the post office in Franklin Lakes NJ! Not what the songs about though. I just thought it would be a fun word to yell at a gig. And it’s annoying. Like your friends leaving you on read.
Is there anyone you would like to shoutout? Any friends or family or other musicians that you think deserves some recognition, please use this space and opportunity to do so!
Kay: Yes! This song was engineered by Doug Gallo who is in the band Get Lost and their new song rocks! Also, RJ Lintag from the bands Buff Chiq and Off-Knowneous recorded the drums and rocks hard. And as always my buddy Austin Medina fucked up the bass and Hannah Wrocklage AKA puddingbrains kills it with us live.
It was so wonderful to speak with you, I am so happy we finally got to shine a light on your new song together, thank you so much!
If you'd like to explore more of Kay Roman's work (which you should) please follow them on Instagram @kayxroman and hit the link HERE!
( https://open.spotify.com/artist/21zuBtUqQHfbolSPNhOYHk?si=n1G5ot7ZQU2AEeT8KghFlg )
