A Journey Through Memory and Identity with Pop’s Rising Star
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KENTON, an elixir of charisma and profound storytelling, presents his long-anticipated debut album, Sweetmouth. Emerging as a poignant voice in the pop sphere, KENTON’s sonic journey is a sophisticated blend of personal history, cultural reverence, and contemporary resonance. The album stands as a testament to KENTON’s maturation not just as a musician, but as an individual navigating the complex landscapes of identity and heritage.
Inspired by a 2022 pilgrimage to Taiwan to reunite with his family after six years, Sweetmouth intricately explores the contrasting realities of KENTON’s existence as a queer Asian American in the bustling expanse of California. This transformative visit provided the emotional catalyst for the album, allowing KENTON to reflect on his upbringing and the silent struggles of reconciling his queerness with his deeply-rooted cultural values. Sweetmouth, a term of endearment his mother bestowed upon him, becomes both the album’s title and its narrative backbone, symbolizing innocence, familial expectations, and the weight of tradition.
Sweetmouth isn’t just Kenton’s story—it’s a mirror for anyone feeling adrift amidst cross-cultural identities. It’s a tribute to those who straddle worlds, whose existences are painted with duality. In songs like “I’m Breaking My Father’s Heart,” the layered textures of KENTON’s emotive vocals collide with raw lyricism to explore the fraught journey of self-discovery. Meanwhile, “Vaporize Me,” adapts his father’s old Hakka folk tune into an exhilarating club anthem—a track that’s as much a dance-floor magnet as it is a nod to unspoken bonds.
KENTON’s collaboration with titans like Eric Cannata, renowned mixer Neal Avron, and mastering virtuoso Ruairi O’Flaherty enriches the album’s texture, marrying lush pop sensibilities with down-to-earth storytelling. Each track, whether it be the dance-driven “3 AM in Taipei” or the introspective “Let Light In,” co-written with Wrabel, weaves a tapestry rich with personal and sonorous discoveries.
Despite the personal struggles behind it, Sweetmouth is ultimately a celebration. It triumphs in its intent to honour familial love, embracing both its thorny and tender nuances. KENTON’s journey, from growing up in sunny Irvine, California, under the watchful guidance of Taiwanese immigrants to thriving within LA’s vibrant entertainment scene, is poignantly chronicled through his art. His creative odyssey is accentuated by a versatile career spanning acting, singing, and storytelling—a multidisciplinary marvel known not only for his vocal prowess but also for his compelling onscreen presence.
As KENTON continues to inspire with his artistry, Sweetmouth stands as a beacon for dialogue around identity, acceptance, and the perpetual quest for self-understanding. This debut album is not just music; it’s a resonant call to embrace complexity, love profoundly, and choose authenticity with every beat.
Keep pace with KENTON and his latest endeavors by visiting ItsKenton.com and exploring his creative universe on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube @its.kenton. The world of Sweetmouth awaits its listeners, promising both heartache and healing, all set to an unforgettable pop symphony.
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