Zoe Kilgren’s “Magician” casts a spell with unconventional storytelling
Zoe Kilgren’s song “Magician” draws you in gently, like a calm tide, before revealing its deep emotional impact. The song explores themes of trust and deception, unfolding like a beautiful yet heartbreaking trick. Kilgren’s writing is surprising and creative, crafting a sound that matches the deep feelings it expresses.
The song has an unusual structure, holding off on the catchy chorus until halfway through. This delay reflects the painful moment of realizing someone has betrayed you. The earlier verses are simple and personal, pulling you in with their fragile honesty, only for the delayed chorus to hit you with a quiet but powerful force. Kilgren shares a standout moment, a minute long instrumental section that flows into a haunting spoken-word piece.
This part is a transition and a moment of reckoning. The music builds tension, drawing you deeper into the emotions of the song. The spoken word section feels like a painful truth that needs to be expressed. Zoe Kilgren creates a song that stays with you, much like the final trick in a magic show that leaves you puzzled yet captivated.
