‘Holding On To Fear’: Kayleigh Walker’s Psychedelic Pop Therapy

​By Devinney Rexrode

​Kayleigh Walker is an alternative/indie pop artist from Essex, UK. Her sound blends pop with rock ballad elements and an indie vibe to create a very personal sound to her and her brand. Her new single ‘Holding Onto Fear’ has an almost psychedelic rock-pop feel, as she layers overlapping vocals, tambourine, and indie instrumentals to create an immersive sound — as if it’s surrounding you, even through ordinary headphones.

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​The lyrics convey a fear we all know very well: trying to take the first steps towards something we want or who we want to be, but holding back out of fear of failure. The upbeat instrumental contrasts with this theme beautifully — bringing light into a relatable issue in the human psyche: the dark corners of the mind that doubt and anxiety can create. 

 It’s a song about hesitation and self-sabotage, yet it makes you want to dance those fears away, whether you’re alone in your room or surrounded by strangers. Like taking a small break while still acknowledging the parts that holds us back from our full potential.

Kayleigh uses her own struggles in her writing to vent about how she's felt and her lived experiences, as well as a way to connect with her audience through the lyrics and often upbeat vibes. You can feel every word as she shares her anxieties in a raw but relatable way, but she almost manipulates you into dropping those fears, even if only for the duration of the song. It’s the kind of catharsis that makes you want to say "Me too — I’ve felt exactly like this!"

The track’s layered production — overlapping vocals, textured instruments — gives it a vivid, almost 3D feel. Through headphones or earbuds, the song almost engulfs you in the best way possible. As if you’ve been pulled into this carefree planet. Experiencing ‘Holding On To Fear’ in an 8D music format would make this an otherworldly experience.

The branding perfectly matches this astral vibe too. The single’s cover art and promotional images have a galaxy-inspired look, with pink, red and green tones that lend a retro pop feel. It's the perfect evolution from previous songs such as ‘ Marilyn’ and ‘Voodoo Circus’, but pushes her aesthetic into a more futuristic version of retro. Imagine the dreamy, cosmic style of a Valfré print — that’s the kind of visual world this sound conjures.​

Kayleigh Walker does an all-around great job at relating with us over fear and worry without trapping us there. You feel it, you relate to it, but then it melts away for 3 minutes and 28 seconds, showing us that, once again, we must be self aware in the fact that we are the one holding us back. The ability she has to show us a part of ourselves that is not the healthiest, while also melting it down and manipulating the experience we have without own fears, self-doubt and self-deprecation is the kind of musical-cognitive-behavioral therapy that we need more of in the music industry. This song was a hit and so multi-faceted. She really out did herself with this track. I can’t wait to see what her next move is.​

About the artist

​Kayleigh Walker is a UK-based singer-songwriter making waves with her soulful vocals, honest lyricism, and genre-blending sound. Drawing inspiration from pop, indie, and acoustic influences, Kayleigh crafts songs that feel intimate yet universally relatable, capturing the highs and lows of love, self-discovery, and growing up. Her warm, emotive style and down-to-earth presence have helped her build a genuine connection with fans who see their own stories reflected in her music.

Alongside her studio work, Kayleigh’s stripped-back live performances highlight her raw talent and heartfelt storytelling. With new music on the way and an ever-growing following on social media, she’s carving out her place as an emerging voice in the UK’s independent music scene — one honest lyric at a time.