KENTON – “Sweetmouth”

KENTON’s debut album Sweetmouth makes an impression right away. He’s using this release to work through personal stuff like queerness, family pressure, and what it was like growing up Asian American in California. It’s personal, but never overdone.

The album opens with “I’m Breaking My Father’s Heart”, a song that’s raw and honest without trying too hard. The lyrics are direct, and the emotion behind them feels real. Then there’s “Vaporize Me”, where he reworks a Hakka folk tune his dad taught him into a dance track. That kind of mix between heritage and modern sound pops up a few times and adds a cool layer.

Other songs like “Gift of Loneliness” and “Wannabe American” dig into identity and the weird, isolating parts of figuring yourself out. There’s humor too, especially in the line about throwing out his back in a Tai Chi class. It all feels like someone sorting things out in real time. “Dirty Laundry” stands out, too. He’s not just talking about family drama. He’s calling out how honesty sometimes gets you labeled the problem.

You can tell a lot of care went into this record. It’s clear KENTON wanted to make something that’s fully him. Keep an eye on him and follow his socials to stay updated on new music coming later in 2025.