Episode Details

Irish country-pop artist Kaylene released her debut EP Bittersweet on February 27, marking the culmination of a project over years in the making. Originally from Kerry, Ireland and now based in the UAE, Kaylene has spent the past two and a half years balancing a full-time teaching career with an intensive live performance schedule, often gigging multiple nights a week while independently funding and developing her music. Created in collaboration with Toronto-based producer Roy Hamilton III, Bittersweet was written and shaped over the course of more than a year. The five-track EP explores themes of growth, identity, love, and emotional transition. True to its title, Bittersweet captures the tension between holding on and letting go, blending reflective lyricism with melodic country-pop production. What began as a collection of individual songs gradually revealed itself as a cohesive snapshot of a defining chapter in Kaylene’s life. “This project has been something I’ve dreamed of since I was twelve,” Kaylene says. “It’s surreal knowing that something that took over a year to create will be experienced by listeners in fifteen minutes. I’m incredibly proud of what we built.” Entirely self-funded and independently released, Bittersweet represents both artistic growth and personal resilience. Having steadily built a loyal following through consistent live performances and grassroots support from her hometown, Listowel, Kaylene continues to expand her audience internationally. With Bittersweet, she steps confidently into a new era; one defined by independence, emotional honesty, and a clear creative identity.