MUSIC FOR YOUR EARS Discover the REVIEW of Manic!!! By Kaiyah Mercedes

In her latest release Manic!!!, Australian singer-songwriter Kaiyah Mercedes unleashes
a fierce and fearless storm of indie pop-rock energy that’s both emotionally charged and
musically exhilarating. At only 18 years old, Kaiyah delivers a sound that defies her age
— complex, soul-baring, and deeply revealing. The track roars with gritty guitar riffs,
layered instrumentals, and a vocal performance that burns with urgency and unfiltered
expression.
From the first few seconds, Manic!!! pulls the listener into an emotional spiral,
mimicking the chaos and intensity of a real-life manic episode. Co-written with Seetali
Mack and brought to sonic perfection by producer Hayden Lauersen, the song feels less
like a polished studio cut and more like a spontaneous outpouring — a diary entry
transformed into a raw declaration. Every scream, every lyric, every guitar distortion
contributes to a visceral sense of disarray that vividly conveys the internal volatility of
heartbreak and mental overwhelm.
Kaiyah’s journey into music began during the isolation of COVID lockdowns, where
she taught herself instruments and found music as a refuge and a form of
communication. Diagnosed with Autism and ADHD, her songs reflect a uniquely
candid lens into emotional complexity. In Manic!!!, these lived experiences don’t just
inform the songwriting — they define it. Her candidness around mental health isn’t
simply thematic; it’s a cornerstone of her work, allowing her to connect with a
generation that values both vulnerability and authenticity.
Lyrically, Manic!!! is a whirlwind of intense emotion. The words don’t tiptoe around
the pain — they confront it head-on, with no room for sugar-coating. There’s an
intentional roughness in her phrasing, a kind of sonic rebellion against emotional
repression. You don’t just hear the distress — you feel it.
Instrumentally, the track is dynamic and loud, but never chaotic for the sake of it. The
structure is deliberate, with crisp drums and chugging electric guitar lines that seem to
echo the frantic pacing of the mind during emotional distress. There are quieter
moments too — interludes of breath, softness, and eerie calm, before the storm hits
again. These contrasts make the song’s intensity all the more effective.
What’s striking is how Manic!!! illustrates that delicate threshold between adolescence
and adulthood — the confusion, the growing pains, the emotional extremities. It’s a
coming-of-age track in the truest sense of the word, one that embraces the messiness of
change instead of tidying it up for palatability. It’s a sonic leap forward for Kaiyah,
hinting at a broader evolution in her sound and a deepening of her artistic identity.
Her influences are audible but not imitative. There are shades of Olivia Rodrigo’s
emotional rawness, Louis Tomlinson’s introspective rock elements, and the playful
angst of The Buoys and Maisie Peters. Still, Kaiyah remains unmistakably herself —

her voice has a smoky, restless quality that sets her apart, while the production choices
lean into a darker, more textured atmosphere than her contemporaries.
In the landscape of indie pop-rock, Manic!!! doesn’t ask for attention — it demands it.
And rightfully so. It’s a bold statement from an artist who is not afraid to bare it all,
both musically and emotionally. With this track, Kaiyah Mercedes proves she’s not just
one to watch — she’s already here, making noise, and refusing to be ignored.
Whether you connect with its story of mental struggle, appreciate its sonic intensity, or
simply crave a powerful female-led rock track with substance, Manic!!! delivers on
every level. It’s thrilling, it’s chaotic, and it’s beautifully human.

Review made by Lucy Cicioni