Emotion whiplashed through JANAYAH’s indie pop-rock powerplay, ‘Bad Taste’ –

JANAYAH is writing her boldest chapter to date in her indie pop rock era. Throughout her discography, she’s proven herself as a scintillating sonic shapeshifter, but whatever form she takes, there’s no compromise to the livewire current of her signature emotive energy. Bad Taste is no exception; it’s pure indie pop-rock perfection.

Seamlessly shifting between melancholically moody, sticky-sweet, and firebranded with hard-fought-for resilience, JANAYAH backs the nurture over nature argument as she illustrates, through her high-octane vignette, how we’re constantly forced to reckon with ourselves to come out stronger. Especially when someone’s seen the softest corners of us and twisted them for their gain. There’s strength here, but it’s not posturing. It’s blood-soaked and breathless, layered over riffs that punch through and hooks that land in the psyche long after the track ends.

Born in New Zealand and now based in London, JANAYAH’s creative range is as far-reaching as her geographical roots. From her early stage and screen appearances to recording vocals for Dancing with the Stars New Zealand at just 16, she’s long known how to command attention. Her debut EP Stepping Stones captured her evolution, moving between stripped-back ballads, Drum & Bass adrenaline, and rock-laced confessionals. But Bad Taste is where she grabs the wheel and slams the accelerator. It’s the sound of a siren who’s done shrinking herself, ready to unapologetically fill the rooms she’s anxiously occupied.

Bad Taste is now available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify. 

Review by Amelia Vandergast