A Grit-Filled Anthem for the Chasing Heart: Kyle Kelly’s “The Way It Is”
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
In a world of polished pop-country and carefully curated personas, Kyle Kelly is a welcome throwback. He’s a storyteller with dirt on his hands and a guitar in his grasp, and his latest single, “The Way It Is,” is a raw, unflinching look at the unglamorous side of chasing a dream. This isn’t a song about triumph; it’s a song about the grind, the doubt, and the quiet sacrifices made when the world is moving on without you.
Born from a moment of pure frustration in Kelly’s garage, a wrench in his hand and discouragement heavy in the air, the song is as honest as they come. It’s the kind of tune that writes itself because it’s a truth that’s been begging to be told. Teaming up with fellow country artist Justin Clyde Williams, Kelly takes listeners on a journey through the highs and, more often, the lows of the music business. The lyrics cut deep, painting a vivid picture of a life lived on a different clock: “While my friends are all having the time of their lives / I’m breaking even, barely getting by / I push the thought to the back of my mind / ‘Cause I’m too afraid to change…”
These aren’t just words; they’re confessions. Kelly’s unmistakable country drawl delivers them with a weary sincerity that makes you feel every bit of his struggle. There’s a powerful vulnerability in his admission of being “too afraid to change,” a sentiment that will resonate with anyone who has ever poured their soul into a passion project, knowing full well the odds are stacked against them. The music itself is a perfect complement to the lyrics: no-frills, straight-ahead country that lets the storytelling take center stage. The stripped-down instrumentation feels as authentic as the stories he’s telling.
For a 29-year-old with an old soul, Kelly wears his influences proudly on his sleeve. You can hear the ghosts of Waylon Jennings, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and The Marshall Tucker Band in his sound—a tribute to the timeless, unfiltered country music he grew up on. He’s a true product of the South, a man who splits his time between turning wrenches on classic Mopars by day and captivating audiences with his music by night. This dual life—the blue-collar grind and the honky-tonk hustle—is the well from which his songs are drawn.
“The Way It Is” is a bold, brave step for an artist who seems determined to do things his own way. It’s an anthem for the dreamers and the drifters, the ones who find solace in the “down lows” and are content to let the world pass them by. It’s not just a song; it’s a shared secret, a nod of understanding between an artist and his audience that says, “I get it. It’s hard. But we’re not giving up.” This single follows his working-man-inspired track “Something to Remind Me” and sets the stage for a new collection of self-produced singles to be released in 2025—all born from the lessons learned and the experiences lived on the road.
If you’re tired of the polished and the predictable, lend an ear to Kyle Kelly. He’s the real deal, and “The Way It Is” is a stark reminder that the best stories are often the ones that are the hardest to tell.