Vince Leigh’s Single Review: Queen of Hearts by Kayla Kristin
By Vince Leigh (Ex drummer of Pseudo Echo, Tina Arena and John Farnham) of Australian Radio Promotion for Sheldon Ang Media
Let’s get one thing clear: this isn’t your typical sugar-coated pop anthem where a broken heart gets glued back together with a few choice words and a dance beat. No, Queen of Hearts is the antidote to that. It’s a track for anyone who’s ever been fed the same tired lines and decided, ‘Screw it, I’m not playing this game anymore.’ The song opens with a guitar strum so crisp it could slice through concrete, laying the foundation for Krystin’s voice, which hovers somewhere between a soft snarl and a knowing grin. This isn’t someone begging for attention or pleading for reconciliation. This is someone who already knows how the game’s played and is three steps ahead. ‘I’m the queen of hearts, you think we’re playin’, but you sold your cards,’ she sings, and you can almost hear her rolling her eyes at every joker who thought he had her figured out. The beauty of this track lies in its simplicity. There’s no unnecessary fluff. The production is tight, raw, and calculated—like the song’s protagonist, Krystin is precise, razor-sharp. The verses pull you in with a minimalist funk-infused rock vibe that keeps you on edge, as if the song’s just waiting to explode. And explode it does, with a chorus that doesn’t just hit—it slams.
We’re talking full-on emotional catharsis here. And it’s not just about romantic games—it’s about control, autonomy, and flipping the script on every sucker who thought they had the upper hand. Now let’s talk about the lyrics because that’s where Krystin really twists the knife. ‘I know you know some girls who would wait by the phone,’ she sings, but that’s not her. She’s not waiting for anything or anyone. There’s a sneer wrapped around every syllable, but it’s not mean-spirited. It’s the sneer of someone who’s seen all the tricks and just isn’t impressed anymore. Krystin’s writing is more chess than checkers—every move calculated, every word deliberate. She’s the queen of hearts, but she’s also the queen of not giving a damn about anyone else’s expectations. And then there’s the production—yeah, it’s clean, but not in a sterile, over-polished way. It’s clean in the way that a well-sharpened blade is clean. There’s retro flavour all over the place here, but it’s not trapped in nostalgia. It’s like Krystin reached back into the past, pulled out a few elements, dusted them off, and turned them into something brand new. There’s a touch of rock, a little funk, and just enough country sensibility to keep it grounded. The best part of Queen of Hearts is how it sneaks up on you. It’s not trying to be the loudest or the flashiest song in the room, but by the time that chorus hits you for the third time, you’re hooked.
