Single Review: Kai Undrell - Can of Worms

The Chesterfield-born musician/filmmaker Kai Undrell announced his new single ‘Can of Worms’ after a period of laying low since his first track ‘Stargazing’ was released in late 2020. For a singer-songwriter at the beginning of his career, the new track exudes a confidence and charisma that very few new artists can compete with.

As soon as you hear the bass start up at the beginning of the track, it’s clear that we are in for a cool ride through an accomplished indie-rock banger. There is a Nirvana-esque quality to the rumbling intro and the moody but melodic vocal performance that kicks off the track, as the lyrics tell the story of a dysfunctional family dynamic that juxtaposes with the blasé repeated refrain of ‘I’d like you here when I wake’. 

The father in ‘Can of Worms’ works a simple factory job. This could be a direct link to the 20-year-old’s industrial hometown of Chesterfield, an upbringing that undoubtedly feeds into the simultaneously melancholy but hopeful vibe of the track. The simply-written - but incredibly catchy - chorus really helps the track transcend, with Undrell manipulating the vocals and production to showcase a really unique but captivating sound.

There’s some beautiful piano in there too, as Undrell never lets the track get stale, utilising further vocal and production techniques to keep the track feeling fresh throughout. It’s had thousands of streams on Spotify already and with the positive response this is getting online, it looks like Undrell will be one to watch in 2021 and beyond.

Words: Bethany Lodge

Listen to ‘Can of Worms’ on the Only A Northern One playlist here.