Kyle Sparkman Explores a Discomforting Perception With "All There"

Kyle Sparkman, photo by Luke O’Brien

The latest from Kyle Sparkman, “All There,” explores the feeling of perception and anticipatory anxiety when forced into performative situations. Mixed and mastered by Kyle Bate and featuring percussion by Rob Tait, Sparkman uses syncopated bass grooves and fuzzy vocal lines to emphasize a distinct feeling of unease that we’ve all fallen victim to. It feels fitting that this song is released at what seems to be peak “normalcy” — everyone’s swarming bars and shows again and if you’re anything like me, it feels a little weird. I definitely don’t feel like I’m “all there” while trying to socialize with people I haven’t seen in person in over a year. I don’t feel like myself when standing coolly in a crowd watching a band play while being acutely aware that I’m around other people who are perceiving me while I do this. It’s a universal feeling that we didn’t recognize before, and it’s an added layer to this new reality. He nails it.

Ever the master of slick and groovy guitar licks, Sparkman’s showmanship is on full display in between verses. His music always reminds me of the ease of summer with how laid-back and effortless his musicality is, despite the lyrical content of this track. He almost makes this feeling of unspoken anxiety seem natural. It’s definitely not, but he displays his feelings in a way that makes them undoubtedly recognizable. I’m glad he put words to it because as the live space continues to skyrocket and our Facebook feeds are flooded with show announcements, that confusing sense of dread may or may not intensify. It’s “groovy and gritty” as he described to me, and hopefully, the angst of this past year can be left behind in the next.

Stream “All There” below or anywhere else you find your music.