Boombox Blitz: Kelsy Karter has ‘Too Many Hearts to Break’

Welcome to Boombox Blitz, an artist spotlight series showcasing overlooked singers, songwriters and musicians who are quietly taking over the world.

In the opening frames of her new music video, Kelsy Karter waxes poetic about love and heartbreak in true rock icon fashion. “Love is like a drug, you know? It’s the greatest feeling in the world,” she opines, spinning delicate spaghetti strands with a fork. “But it’s designed to destroy you.” There’s a grim resignation to her statements. “So, now, I’m a rolling stone,” she remarks, quite flippantly, before chomping down more pasta with a slurp and a smirk. Guitars lurch forward underneath a perpetually-funky smattering of soul and glittery Top 40. Karter stares down the camera, and it’s enough to melt the screen.

And don’t worry, she’s fully aware of her temptress-like ways. “Dandelions in the breeze / As far as I can see, planted just for me / They remind me of the hearts I squeeze / I kiss them on the nose and with the wind they go / And they go,” she murmurs ahead of a stream of glistening claps which erupt into one of 2018’s most obsessive, exhilarating hooks. In the accompanying visual, she snarls her way through male objectification, priming her prey who includes popular social media star Matt King. Him and his wingmen are seen hip-thrusting on the carpet and exchanging sweaty and seductive glances at the viewer.

“There’s too many hearts I have to break, I have to break / So baby won’t you come my way? / Just come my way / I know you’re dying just to be my baby / But there’s too many hearts to, too many hearts,” Karter sings, showing the extent of her prowess ⎯⎯ a badass exhibit of womanhood and independence, unchained to convention.

“Too Many Hearts to Break” is modernized doo-wop, embellished with Karter’s signature rock timbre. The sonic similarities to a bygone era aren’t accidental either. “I generally pull a lot of my inspiration from the ’60s — the colors, patterns, the vibes. There’s something so innocent about that time, even amongst the cultural chaos that existed,” she says. “The music always spoke to me, and that shows in my music. But y’know what? I’m a pirate, a vagabond. Not really from any time or place. I am young, shiny and new, but I’m also kind of like an old Italian dude who’s seen some shit.”

Karter’s Bad Girl, Sad Girl EP drops May 18.

Watch below:

Follow Karter on her socials: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram