Rett Madison Shares ‘Kiki (Rett’s Take)’
Rett Madison has shared Kiki (Rett’s Take), a stripped-down, alternative version of one of the key tracks from her widely acclaimed second album, 2023’s One For Jackie.
Kiki originally graced One for Jackie, as a collaboration with Iron & Wine. However, she opted to strip the song back to its bare essence with nothing more than acoustic guitar and a plaintive, pensive, and powerful solo vocal performance. Her vulnerable delivery instantly strikes a chord as she assures, “Kiki, don’t you listen to their lies. It was a gift being the mother in your life.” As a tribute to her late mom Jackie, the Mother’s Day release of the track proves significant for the songstress.
About Kiki (Rett’s Take), she said, “When I was growing up, my mom nicknamed me “Kiki”. After she passed away unexpectedly, I didn’t have closure. I wrote “Kiki” from my mom’s perspective and imagined what she’d want to tell me if she could speak with me now.”
Kiki (Rett’s Take) arrives in the wake of Madison’s recent single Apocalyptic Folk Song, which was released via War Buddha/Warner Music.
Madison has continued to incite tastemaker applause. A Book Of featured her on its digital cover and attested, “Rett Madison, artist on the rise and a deeply emotive singer-songwriter known for her poignant lyrics and captivating blend of folk, rock, Americana and soul is making waves in the contemporary music scene with her heartfelt storytelling and powerful vocal performances.”
Elsewhere, Ann Powers from NPR said “Rett Madison offers a centerpiece constructed of ordinary confrontations with triggers, the devastating details that make for great country songs and days that can feel insurmountable.” Billboard called her music “Unflinchingly honest, one not afraid to highlight grief’s messy margins.”
Keeping busy this year, she just performed a string of shows alongside John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats and Bailen, in addition to a headline tour throughout the Midwest. In February, she notably graced the stage of Carnegie Hall at The Piano Recital with Mandy Moore, Margo Price, Meg Duffy, and others.
In 2023, she delivered her acclaimed sophomore album and Warner Records debut, One for Jackie. It features a collaboration with Iron & Wine in addition to lead singles One for Jackie, One for Crystal, Skydiving and Fortune Teller. She was also spotlighted in a Mixtape Moments segment on CBS This Morning.
Next up, Rett will appear on CBS Saturday Morning/Saturday Sessions on June 1 for an interview and multi-song performance. Later in the month, she’ll be supporting Trousdale in Chicago at Lincoln Hall, before her performances at Americana Music Fest and Austin City Limits this fall.