I’m Too Sensitive For This – EP by Hayley Kiyoko

Hayley Kiyoko is one of my favorite artists of today. I got into her music just in time for her debut album, Expectations, released in 20gayteen (2018).

The EP I’m Too Sensitive For This Sh** was officially released on January 17, but singles were released periodically since summer 2019. And here’s my take on each song from the EP.

“demons”

If anyone has encountered this blog, they would know Halloween, horror, and macabre are some of my favorite things. And that I spent last fall expressing this love through spooky music. “Demons” falls into that category. 

The demons concept is more about the thoughts that Hayley encounters and the “lies” that they try to feed to her, which impacts her ability to function. A good metaphor for thoughts that can affect your mental health.

“L.O.V.E. Me”

This song sounds befitting for an ultra gay rom-com where the protagonist, (probably Hayley herself) stands up and confidently professes her love for a girl in a local diner. And everyone’s shocked, but Hayley and her love interest walk out of the diner into a suburban sunset.

“L.O.V.E. Me” is another Hayley Kiyoko song where she is offering her heart whilst warning the unnamed love interest to be serious about how she feels. She’s expressing interest in this person, and if they don’t feel the same, don’t lead her on.

“runaway”

In a Billboard interview, Hayley says that “runaway” is about her tendency to spiral when let down. She’s asking someone for a reason not to leave them, based past toxic relationships. And if the person before her proves to be the same, she’s calling it off.

It’s a different perspective for songs that ask potential love interests not to hurt them. This is more actively seeking a healthy relationship and not wanting to be in a toxic relationship, which reflects the younger generation’s approach to dating and love.

“I Wish”

I wrote about “I Wish” in a post about songs I loved from 2019, but it’s worth repeating. Hayley is calling out her love interest for ignoring her and withholding affection and clashing over it. She laments on how she wishes she could find love because it feels bad to wake up alone.

The bridge hits a nerve for me. I think it’s because most people yearn for someone to love and be loved in return. “Sometimes I wonder if you’ll ever love me ever I wonder if I’m ever gonna find somebody / I cry and I cry and I cry and I cry to heaven/ Why won’t you just send me somebody?”

I think this is the most I remember Hayley cursing in a song. It doesn’t bother me, but hearing “mother*cker what’s good?” from her makes the meaning heavier.

“She”

This song is so awesome. Hayley is revisits 7th-grade her and marvels how she’s gone on to accomplish her dreams of being a famous musician.

And I love how she brought back Disney Channel/Lemonade Mouth era Hayley for the music video. It was filmed in a single-shot, with lots of details you’d see in a messy teenaged girls room: piles of clothes strewn everywhere, a vanity mirror, a singing poster of Lance Bass from N*SYNC, and a pride rainbow flag. It’s like experiencing a hazy memory from Hayley. 

Hayley’s sound has shifted and evolved a little since the Expectations album, but upon the first listen you can tell this is a Hayley Kiyoko song. I like how she’s developing a sound of her own. And for someone who grew up with her presence in the media I consumed (Disney Channel and thus the music), watching her grow from this to the Lesbian Jesus musician she is today I s so refreshing and fun.

Good night!