Chasing closure: 'unresolved' by Manpreet Kundi EP Review

Manpreet Kundi has released her entirely self-written EP, 'unresolved', providing us with the story of heartbreak, guiding us all the way through to a point of true understanding, and moving on. With its journalistic style of writing, Kundi said that the body of work provides ‘a journey through hopefulness and doubt, undying anger and realisation, heartbreak and breaking all over again, and ending with the beginnings of an eventual acceptance.'

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unresolved

A word of caution: If you’ve recently ended a relationship, proceed with care.

There is a sweet sadness that unfolds immediately as we hear the opening line, ‘you haven’t called, it's been like 6 days.’ From this very first line, it is apparent that we are embarking on a collective, wonderfully sincere journey with Manpreet. The track and EP title, 'unresolved', perfectly encapsulate the emotional tone of the entire body of work we are about to experience. Lyrics like ‘Your kiss on my neck / I can feel it ache like the perfect wound on my skin’ feel so candid in exploring the memories that can leave a gap in your life, that one must attempt to bridge only by moving on. Continuing with ‘Because you’re my favourite for life, do you feel the same’, we get the impression that Kundi is shouting into the void, yearning for a sign or an answer. She follows with the acknowledgment that 'You just won't say a word', a quiet reveal that the lack of reciprocation may, in itself, be an answer. This overall asking could also be simply rhetorical, finally confronting the truth that she may have known all along and has now reached the point of acceptance, that the feelings were never mutual. The song finishes without much resolution, mirroring the relationship that has been portrayed. This is the perfect track to open up this EP, as we are now invested in the journey, and also taps into our human need for closure.

selfish

The strings at the beginning of 'selfish' are utterly captivating and make for an intro that could be played endlessly. They carry such an overwhelming sense of sorrow and doubt, creating an apt tone as Kundi moves through the evolving stages of heartbreak. Here, we reach the point of disappointment at someone's actions, asking ‘Why did you want me so bad? Pure selfish.’ Hindsight can provide such clarity, but often fuels a deeper sense of fury at a situation as it becomes hazier, captured here with lyrics like, ‘Pure selfish / You’re crazy, out of your mind’.

Photograph via Wonderland Magazine

Kundi allows this sense of helplessness to unfold so effortlessly, and the agonising wondering of how someone who claimed to care could leave so effortlessly feels so relatable. We begin questioning their motives, yet there is an inability to detach from the lingering feelings often kept in a small compartment of our hearts when there is an unresolved ending. Heartbreak can create such isolation, yet Manpreet has been able to give these thoughts a voice that many can resonate with. It serves as a reminder that they are not alone, and the actions of somebody else are never something you can take blame for.

Manpreet Kundi, via Spotify

something

'something' captures the bittersweet feeling of someone leaving and facing the realisation that the relationship that consumed you entirely was, to them, nothing more than a fleeting experience with no deeper attachment. The sound feels so rich and full, creating the perfect space for daggering lyrics like ‘waiting, wishing and wondering what if it meant something’. It feels so delicate, yet immersive. Manpreet has encapsulated these feelings of a lack of closure perfectly by simply stating, 'I'll never know'. This antagonising thought, alongside the beautiful layering of the track itself, is akin to the emotional realm of Taylor Swift's 'I Hate It Here', with a longing to escape and leave for a better time. The inclusion of drums feels perfectly placed within the song, like an awakening that pulls you back into the deepness of heartache, shattering the daydream of escapism.

salvage

Manpreet fits seamlessly alongside artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Gracie Abrams, delivering an effortless level of relatability in her songwriting that feels deeply personal. Her ability to effortlessly use music as a journal allows her to articulate unrequited feelings and the ache of loss with such honesty that the listener can truly take in each word and emotion. The piano instrumental in 'salvage' allows you to place yourself right next to her, as she pours her heart out onto the keys. The track's beauty feels like a John Lewis Christmas advert, the heartbreakingly beautiful kind that sticks with you. Lyrics like ‘I’m homesick for a home that no longer exists’ and ‘I watched you burn it to the ground / You struck a match and ran’ create such poignant imagery and capture the experience of loss flawlessly.

This feels like the perfect direction for Manpreet to continue connecting with people worldwide as she communicates heartbreak which can resonate universally.

Check out 'unresolved' by Manpreet Kundi, on streaming services now.