As a self-described “anime-nerd mall goth” growing up in Tennessee’s bible belt, Amythyst Kiah regularly attended church despite feeling slightly out of place. It wasn’t until she was 13 years old, when Kiah wrote her first song on a Fender acoustic guitar, that she found solace in creating music. The opening track of her newest album, Still + Bright, was written with 15-year-old Amythyst in mind, who she says “suspected there was a big world out there that allowed for many beliefs and a more connected humanity.”
It’s been over a decade since the 37-year-old singer and songwriter released her debut LP, and it seems her sophomore album, Still + Bright, has been long-awaited not only by fans but by Kiah herself. As compared with her two previous heavier projects, listeners will notice a refreshing, upbeat theme woven throughout the 12-track lineup.
While her freshman album was born from a place of anxiety and intense emotion, a big source of inspiration for Still + Bright came from rediscovering the joy in creating music. The alt-rock and folk-focused songs are inspired by finding peace within herself and seeking out spirituality. Her spiritual connection stems from nature and is on full display in her song “Empire of Love,” which draws from her unique connection with the Appalachian landscape.
“On the last record it felt so cathartic to write about all the pain I was dealing with, but this time the songs came from a place of finding joy in the music,” says Kiah.
She notes that it felt like she had to relearn how to write music in order to steer her album in this new direction. In addition to more confident themes, Kiah aimed to showcase her vocal range, paired with her well-known banjo riffs, on the record.
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“In the past I felt so mired down with anxiety that I sometimes held back from what I really wanted to write about; I felt like I needed to play it safe and keep certain thoughts to myself. But now I’m at a point where I’m confident in what I value and love, and because of that I’ve made the album I’ve always wanted to make,” Kiah shares.
There’s something for everyone on this album, from a gothic love song inspired by the horror-drama The Haunting of Bly Manor to a song initially constructed when Kiah first learned about the Crusades in high school. The darkly cinematic album is an ode to her newfound connection with nature and spiritual traditions wrapped up in melodic guitar riffs and powerful vocals.
Fans can catch a healthy mix of Kiah’s older tunes and unreleased songs at Caramoor on October 18. Her soulful vocals and deep-cut lyrics are sure to gain her local fans. Tickets for the show range from $49 to $94 and are available here.
The three released tracks are Play God and Destroy The World feat. S.G. Goodman, I Will Not Go Down feat. Billy Strings, and Silk And Petals feat. Butch Walker. The album was produced by Butch Walker and recorded at his studio in Nashville.

Kiah’s breakthrough 2021 album, Wary + Strange, earned her a spot on Rolling Stone’s list of the 25 best country and Americana albums of 2021. The artist also earned a Grammy nomination for her powerful anthem “Black Myself,” which was part of her collaborative project with the folk and roots supergroup Our Native Daughters.
Amythyst Kiah’s third full-length album will be released on October 25 on all streaming platforms. Listen to her top tracks here.
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