Kacey Fifield Pretends Not to Care on Her New Single, ‘Never Reply’
As longtime fans of Kacey Fifield, it's been incredible watching the 19-year-old singer-songwriter's talents bud over the years. Her new single, "Never Reply," is the perfect example.
The track—the third single of her upcoming EP, Nostalgia Haunts Me, shows just how powerfully relatable her writing can be. We adore its chill pop vibes and anthemic chorus as she playfully claims to no longer care about someone who wronged her—but it's all a ruse, and of course, pretending only intensifies her feelings. We got the chance to catch up with Kacey to learn more about what inspired "Never Reply," get the inside scoop on her upcoming EP and more. Read the full interview below.
The Story Behind 'Never Reply'
Kacey Fifield: I walked into the studio having written dozens of sad, sad songs the past few weeks so my co-writers (Sam Beresford from Winnetka Bowling League and Mike Kamerman from Smallpools) and I decided to make a happy song for once. I proved to apparently be incapable of writing a purely happy song! It turned into a sarcastic, anthemic track that combines pettiness with the feeling of being in denial of your feelings. We laughed about how it's kind of like that meme/scene from Mad Men where Michael goes, "I feel bad for you," to which Don replies, "I don't think about you at all."
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What 'Never Reply' Means
KF: This song totally plays on the idea of claiming to no longer care about a person who hurt me in the past while making it painfully obvious that I actually care way too much (to the point at which I'm literally writing them a song, lol). The tone of the song feels almost hauntingly optimistic, giving the track an uneasy sense of knowing something is too good to be true. The idea that I've moved on from this person to the point at which I wish I could go back in time and "never reply" to them is, in fact, too good to be true! I hope listeners can appreciate the irony of the song and relate to the idea of trying to convince yourself you're over a toxic person from the past.
(Photo credit: Maiya Buck)
Kacey's Favorite Lyric
KF: I love the line "stuck in high school forever" because it feels like the most perfectly petty insult to encapsulate the unseriousness of the song. At the same time, I feel like we all know that one person who peaked in high school and hasn't matured since. This song calls them out!
On Moving Into 2024
KF: "Never Reply" is the kind of song you blast in the car with your friends at night, which is the energy I think we need to be bringing into the new year! I feel like some of us also need a reminder not to respond to toxic people from our pasts in 2024.
(Photo credit: Maiya Buck)
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On Her Upcoming Nostalgia Haunts Me EP
KF: "Never Reply" really sets the stage for the rest of the EP to essentially disprove the idea that I've moved on. It's a fun opening track to an EP that serves as a diary entry, confession, and goodbye letter to my high school experience, along with all the bittersweet memories it brought about. I'm an incredibly nostalgic person, to the point where I become addicted to scrolling through old photos, messages, and posts, always yearning for the past. As a project, Nostalgia Haunts Me confronts this feeling of being stuck, facing it by combining vulnerable lyrics and haunting melodies with danceable production that makes you want to scream and jump and feel all the feelings. I can't wait for everyone to hear it!!
What's Next
KF: I'm working on so much new music that I can't wait to share! I also am super pumped to be opening for the amazing Alexa Valentino on Feb. 19 in Brooklyn, New York. Definitely want to play more shows this year, so stay tuned for more upcoming performances!
(Photo credit: Maiya Buck)
Final Thoughts
KF: You should definitely know that the song is meant to be taken in a fun, lighthearted way. Sometimes, I think we all need a reminder that life and love aren't always that serious, so I hope this song does that!
For more on our new favorite music, click HERE to read our interview with Lindsey Lomis on her latest single, "Long Way Down."