“Cordelia,” the lead single from Anana Kaye’s 2025 album Are You There?, is a haunting masterclass in atmospheric indie rock that bridges the gap between Shakespearean tragedy and contemporary geopolitical unrest. Released in December 2025 via ECR Music Group, the track serves as a bold reintroduction to Kaye’s signature “alt pop noir” sound.
The song draws its namesake from King Lear’s youngest daughter, a figure defined by her refusal to barter truth for inheritance. Kaye uses this literary anchor to navigate a world she perceives as increasingly blinded by vanity and false loyalty. Written alongside longtime collaborator Irakli Gabriel and the late David Olney, the lyrics resonate with a weary but resolute wisdom, asking what remains when honesty becomes a liability.
Musically, “Cordelia” is lush and rhythmically hypnotic. The production, handled by Kaye, Gabriel, and Charlie Chamberlain, creates a sprawling sonic landscape. It is anchored by the formidable rhythm section of bassist Tim Lefebvre and drummer Dave Colella, whose steady, driving pulse provides a foundation for swirling horns and a ghostly choir. Kaye’s vocals are the centerpiece: she possesses a rare ability to sound simultaneously fragile and authoritative, her delivery “quietly bold” as she navigates the song’s minor key tensions.
The timing of the release adds a layer of visceral urgency. Recorded amidst the backdrop of the war in Ukraine and political shifts in Kaye’s native Georgia, “Cordelia” feels less like a period piece and more like a modern protest. It is a sophisticated, somber, and ultimately beautiful exploration of integrity. For listeners seeking music that demands emotional intellectualism, “Cordelia” confirms Anana Kaye as one of the most compelling voices in the 2025 indie circuit.
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