Kay Iris are wrapping up 2025 the only way they know how – with a bang. Their new single, “The Other Side,” is one of those blues-kissed, Americana-rock anthems that hits you square in the chest and refuses to let go. It’s gritty, it’s defiant, and it’s got that big “we’re not here to play nice, we’re here to be heard” energy that every rising band should have in their pocket.
If you haven’t come across Kay Iris yet, they’re one of the UK’s most exciting new Americana-leaning acts, even though they only formed in 2024. Somehow they’ve already squeezed in a whirlwind of festival slots, Pub in the Park, Big Feastival, The Vegan Campout, Lakefest, Country Calling, plus shows with The Lottery Winners, Brave Rival, Turin Brakes, and Doves. Basically, they’ve been busy.
“The Other Side” is their latest power move, and honestly, it might be their strongest yet. Musically, it leans into this gorgeous Delta Blues feel, dusty slide guitars, harmonica touches, and that kind of foot-stomping swagger that makes you want to roll down the windows and blast it on a long drive. But underneath all that grit is a serious message.
Kay (the band’s frontwoman and emotional centre) digs into the messy realities of privilege, class divides, and that feeling we all get sometimes, that the deck is stacked, and we’re playing a rigged game. Lines like “Money is the Ace that’s up your sleeve” are sharp enough to bruise, but the song never sits in bitterness. Instead, it turns into this rallying cry for anyone who’s fighting their way forward, one stubborn step at a time.
Kay sums it up perfectly: the track is about making people who feel overlooked feel seen, and giving them that nudge to keep going. Coming from an independent, self-funded band, that sentiment lands with real weight.
With its soaring Americana chorus, blues-soaked edges, and a whole lot of heart, “The Other Side” feels like a big moment for Kay Iris, the kind of release that doesn’t just show who they are, but who they’re becoming.