Actress turned singer encourages listeners

Want some new songs to get you through the 1st Semester? Expectations by Hayley Kiyoko might fit your taste.

This album from 2018 was about normalizing girls loving girls. She wanted her fans to get a sense of hope that everything is going to get better in the end. “Being young is so hard. You’re surrounded by judgement and fear…Every incident that happens in our life is so intense during that time in your teens. So I really try to bring intensity to their life in a positive way.” said Kiyoko during an interview with Genius.

This album has an intense feeling that is difficult to explain. Her music videos are unique and tell a beautiful story that highlights her own experiences.

Kiyoko is an openly gay artist and known as “Lesbian Jesus” by her fans. She used to be an actress and played characters in many shows and movies. That includes Velma Dinkley in Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins and Scooby-Doo! The Curse of the Lake Monster and, lastly, Stella Yamada in Disney Channel’s original film Lemonade Mouth.

Expectations had reached the top twenty of the charts in the United States, Canada and Australia. I would rate this album an 8/10 because it conveys a powerful message to LGBTQ+ people. I personally wouldn’t listen to every day, but it feels refreshing to listen to it once in a while.

My favorite song from the album is “Feelings”. It is such a vibe to listen to while you’re on a car ride. “I wanted to write an anthem celebrating these ‘feelings’, as opposed to suppressing them like society often makes people do in today’s dating scene. We have feelings, we get involved, and sometimes we can’t control it. After all, we’re human.” said Kiyoko in an interview with Flaunt.

I hope this album inspires you to be yourself. You can find Expectations on any music streaming services, as well as all her other wonderful music.