Hayley Kiyoko released her first solo album titled Expectations on March 30, 2018. Most people recognize the, now 27-year-old, pop star from Disney's Lemonade Mouth or from being an extra in Wizards of Waverly Place, but since her childhood fame, Kiyoko has managed to create a name for herself separate from Disney.
In 2015 Kiyoko released a self-directed music video to go along with her song, "Girls Like Girls". Kiyoko wanted to normalize lesbian relationships within the music industry. Queer and non-queer people celebrated the video because not only did Kiyoko normalize lesbian relationships within music, but she also showed others in the industry that it's okay to sing your truth, and Expectations is filled with the singer's truth.
Kiyoko is a gay woman and the songs she wrote for Expectations reflect that truth, but not in a "woe is me, this is hard and different" kind-of-way, but in a way that makes sense to every listener regardless of sexuality. The pop beats the singer lays behind her music definitely help with relatability, but the overarching reason is that the entire album is drenched in confidence. It is a special kind of confidence, it isn't in your face, it's the subtle, powerful kind that people respect.
The album cover is the ultimate display of Kiyoko's confidence in her truth and the songs just follow. It pictures Kiyoko slouching in a chair with her signature jean jacket hanging off one shoulder wearing a yellow bra with matching yellow pants, her relaxed stoic gaze is resting on a woman stark naked in her bed, but all the viewer sees is the backside of the woman.
Kiyoko wants the listener to listen in order because they tell a story, and the first song "Expectations–overture" sets the mood for the songs that follow with its moody, mushy yet extremely pop-ish sounding startup that seamlessly flows into the next song "Feelings" where the singer discusses her experience with crushing on a hook-up partner, she knows the other person feels it too, but won't admit it so Kiyoko not-really apologizes for feeling what she's feeling.
The songs on Expectations hint at the over-used, yet classic narrative of unrequited love, a theme that is relatable to all, queer or not. On the song "Mercy/Gatekeeper" she talks about how lonely and crushing heartbreak can be, showing her colors beneath her usual confidence.
Her confidence comes screaming back in her song "Curious" where the singer plays on the tired story of the curious straight girl who has the gay girl wrapped around her finger. She twists the narrative and ends up calling out the girl who dragged her through that confusing heartbreak.
Kiyoko becomes vulnerable again on the song "Molecules" after her heartbreak she begins hooking up with random girls to make herself whole again, but those attempts just make her think more about the girl who broke her heart.
The album ends with the song "Let it Be" which wraps up the story in a neat little bow made of acceptance. The singer understands how good the pair would be, but accepts the timing is not right and also hints that she's willing to make it work, even if that means taking things slowly.
Overall Kiyoko's Expectations did exactly what she wanted her music to do: open doors. She normalized lesbian relationships through the story she told and didn't make it purely sexual. The theme is a little over-done, but that is her truth and she tells it with confidence so who am I to question it.
