Kat Harlton
Lead Photo: Freckle Face Media Co
Calgary-based pop artist Kayla Williams has set sail into a new musical chapter with the release of her sophomore EP, POPSTALGIA. Steeped in retro charm but shimmering with modern pop flair, the four-track collection captures the breezy warmth of late summer nights and the glittery grooves of the late ‘70s and early ’80s. The focus track, “Is It Really True?,” is a sax-laced, breakup-meets-dance-floor jam that channels the spirit of Huey Lewis and the News.
Produced by JUNO Award-winners Spencer Cheyne (Brett Kissel, Jocelyn Alice) and Justin Kudding (Brett Kissel, Devin Cooper), POPSTALGIA is the follow-up to Williams’ acclaimed debut EP, RETRODELIA, which earned her multiple nominations including Pop Artist of the Year at the 2024 Western Canadian Music Awards and Pop Recording of the Year at the 2025 YYC Music Awards. Where RETRODELIA introduced her as a fresh voice in Canadian pop, POPSTALGIA cements her place as a master of yacht-pop – blending soulful vocals, smooth retro-funk, and a wink of playful nostalgia.
From dreamy ballads to flirty beats, the EP’s four tracks explore crushes, connection, and the silver lining in heartbreak. “Come & Get It” blends dreamy retro shimmer with a fresh pop edge, and “Craving” is a Steely Dan-influenced track with an irresistible feel-good vibe about craving love – not out of loneliness, but out of a human hunger to connect. The focus single, “Is It Really True?,” takes a classic breakup tune and spins it into a danceable 6/8 groove with lush harmonies, a killer sax solo, and an irresistible fade-out ending.
I had the opportunity to chat with Kayla about her new EP, her musical journey so far, and what’s next.
Kat: Can you talk about the inspiration behind your new EP POPSTALGIA?
Kayla: POPSTALGIA was inspired by my love of oldies and pop music. I didn’t grow up in the ‘70s, but I did grow up with a lot of that music in the background of my life – artists like Fleetwood Mac, The Doobie Brothers and Huey Lewis were always playing and I always felt like I was made for those times. Inevitably that ended up influencing my sound and writing, but I equally love artists like Dua Lipa and Sabrina Carpenter, so current pop music always plays a hand in how my sound has been shaped. I wanted to make an EP that felt very nostalgic and pulled from the past and also had a very modern vibe, so POPSTALGIA is exactly that, I think!
Kat: What do you hope fans take away from the new EP?
Kayla: I hope musically – it makes people feel the beat and move and wanna blast these tunes with the windows down driving on a summer’s eve! Each song has something someone can relate to, whether that’s crushing hard, being heartbroken or questioning but also being so inspired by life – the themes lyrically cover all of this, so I hope people also feel something when listening to these songs, even though they groove really hard!
Kat: What do you find to be the most challenging part of your creative process?
Kayla: The most challenging part is that, for me personally, I can’t predict when I’ll be inspired to write a song. I’m not constantly writing because some phases of my life have me performing a ton and touring and then it’s all about being present for the live shows, but usually when I have a quiet moment like going for a walk, or a drive or when I hear music that just moves me and inspires me, that’s usually when I’ll be songwriting. As for creating visuals and content that’s ongoing, and I’m always imagining the visual world my music lives in and how to make people be a part of it, I create constantly and have a lot of fun with that side of things.
Kat: What has been a career highlight for you so far? What have you learned along the way?
Kayla: Meeting Brian Wilson (my musical hero) was a highlight, and having him tell me I had a good voice – anytime I doubt myself I think back to that moment. I’ve also played some amazing live shows, sometimes for thousands, sometimes for less than a hundred, and regardless of size, I have had some of the most transformative, powerful moments on stage sharing my songs with people live! I live for music festivals. There’s nothing like a community that really supports live music showing up and being with you, especially out in the middle of nowhere with little cell service- that’s the dream for me.
I’ve learned to always follow your own authentic path, don’t follow trends or compare yourself too much to other artists, being fully you will always be the best way to connect with people, no matter how weird or off the beaten path that is!
Kat: What’s next for you?
Kayla: We’ve still got some festivals and fun outdoor live shows to finish out the summer, then POPSTALGIA drops September 18th and the day after my band the Yacht Daddies and I kick off a Western Canadian tour including two larger scale release shows with an eight-piece band (horns and backing vocalists and so much yacht-pop decor and fun surprises) and two showcases at BreakOut West in Winnipeg end of September. I can’t wait to share these songs with an audience and perform our glittery little buns off!
Connect With Kayla:
www.facebook.com/kaylawilliamsmusic
www.instagram.com/kaylawilliamsmusic
www.youtube.com/kaylawilliamsmusic
www.tiktok.com@kaylawilliams.music