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Besides heavily discounted chocolate, is there a better post-Valentine's gift than a new EP from indie-pop singer-songwriter Katherine Li? The sophomore EP from Li, love, k, is just as romantic as we’d hope. A graceful and intentional songwriter, Li’s music has been embraced by fans on TikTok, adored for her relatable perspectives on love, life, and growing up. 

love, k kicks off with “Fell First, Fell Hard”—the definition of a project opener—softly pulling you close with acoustic sounds that slowly build. It starts with piano and light percussive claps, subtly adding hints of atmosphere to the arrangement as listeners are introduced to the world of love, k. 

Li works her magic in the fine touches, adding brushes of an echo here and a heartbeat of percussion there, never overwhelming the integrity of the songwriting. She lets the story speak for itself, using production to emphasize the narrative already carved out by the intentional melodic and lyric writing. “Could I Convince You” embodies this facet of Li’s talent, with a beautifully cascading melody that’s complimented by a synth that builds in waves, adding tension from the far side of the mix. The richness of the harmonies in “Like Me, Like Me” is another example; simultaneously a small addition and a pivotal detail. 

The light hand with which Li crafts these songs flows in tandem with her introspective lyrical perspective. Li states, "love, k touches the themes like unrequited love, pining, insecurities, and overthinking. The lyrics encompass all the things you never had the nerve to say to “them.” This EP is written for all the hopeless romantics that find themselves in a never-ending loop of (borderline imaginary) relationships that never seem to work out."

love, k has its moments of sonic grandeur, too. “Really Mean It” features an anthemic post-chorus, reaching into expanses of Li’s vocal range that we’d yet to explore. The motivated guitar and drum arrangement propel her voice forward, and Li’s dynamic capabilities thrive on this track. Another standout is “I Just Wanna Know,” which peeks into a more indie rock sound. A filtered drum opens the song with a retro feel, inviting jazzy guitar chords to switch things up from piano. Though Li’s vocal is still twinkling within its usual shroud of crisp reverb, she also explores a bit of distortion here. She leans into the desperation in the lyrics, letting the emotion ooze into the sonic palette of “I Just Wanna Know,” playing with an edge of grit.  

Along with the exciting release of love, k, fans can also look forward to Katherine Li’s first headline tour this spring, kicking off March 6 in New York City. 

Listen to love, k here: