In a softly illuminated room in Stoke Newington, Karis Taylor distributed disposable cameras, encouraging the audience to document the evening from their viewpoints. It was the launch of her debut EP, ‘Favourite Feeling’, and all the chairs faced her while she performed. Within moments, the room fell silent, lost in a trance, undoubtedly transported back to times when their hearts had been deeply hurt.
Karis shares that love songs can often feel somewhat exclusive, saying, “I’ve always found it hard to connect with the typical love songs about infidelity or breakups, as I haven't experienced a relationship myself.” These tracks aren’t conventional ‘love’ songs, but rather narratives about when expectations don’t align with reality. The lyrics of the title track convey, “you were my favourite feeling,” introducing a subtle twist that makes the title misleading.
This sense of authenticity permeates the entire EP. It reflects the chaos of modern dating and the way anticipation can lead to disappointment. Dating can be a series of trials, often ending in embarrassment. “People seldom discuss how humiliating it is to inch so close to something wonderful with someone, only to watch it fade away,” she explains.
For Karis, writing songs has always served as a means of gaining insight into her circumstances. She describes the experience as cathartic, allowing her to sit with her emotions and thoughtfully assess her mindset. “I believe it’s important to experience those feelings and introspect,” she notes. This same sincerity is present during her performances.
When Karis takes the stage, it's common for her to catch someone’s gaze and witness tears. “Of course, it’s not pleasant to see people cry, but it’s incredibly validating to know they connect with the music. I think, thank goodness, I’m not the only one!” she laughs with a sense of relief, before confessing that sometimes she wishes she could set down her guitar mid-performance and hug them.
On stage, she clearly immerses herself in her lyrics. Her facial expressions evolve with each verse, transitioning from hopefulness at the start to a frown by the end. “It just happens organically, especially during my sadder songs,” she mentions. She admits that performing feels therapeutic, akin to revisiting a conversation in front of a mirror and finally expressing everything left unsaid.
Taylor Swift has always been her greatest inspiration. At the age of six, she penned her first song and a year later asked her father to teach her guitar. “The first song I learned was ‘15’ by Taylor Swift,” she recalls, holding onto her ‘capture it, remember it’ merchandise necklace from Swift’s first album. This influence is evident in her music, which embodies the same expansive, guitar-driven sound found in Swift’s early works. Karis appreciates the depth of emotion conveyed through the instrumentals alone, and it is palpable in her songs.
The opening track, ‘Crowded House’, immediately establishes the mood. It explores the uncertainty surrounding situationships and the frustration of desiring more than the other person is prepared to offer. With lyrics like “situational secrecy, yeah, I’m shutting my mouth,” Karis articulates that tangled space many people can quietly identify with.
The title track ‘Favourite Feeling’ is equally unfiltered. It begins simply and minimally, mirroring the denial of being ghosted, before escalating into a surge of emotion. Karis revealed that when someone she cares for starts to distance themselves, her instinct is to invest even more of herself to keep their attention. That honesty resonates throughout the song, featuring the poignant line “if you need time, you can waste mine.”
Karis is already planning for the future. Performing live remains her greatest thrill, a realm where she can share moments of vulnerability and connect with others through her artistry. The combination of joy and overwhelm from the support around her has made the debut of her EP particularly meaningful, fueling her desire to do it all again. She relished creating “a collection of songs that inhabit the same world,” and with much more to come, she looks forward to expanding that universe.
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The ‘Favourite Feeling’ EP is now available.
Words: Camila Muiambo
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In a softly illuminated room in Stoke Newington, Karis Taylor handed out disposable cameras, encouraging the audience to document the evening through their own viewpoint. It was