There are few backstories that will hit you quite as hard as the one behind Kyler Slater’s new release ‘Not Enough’. It’s a highly personal song that exposes the emotional and mental effects of a life as an outlier of society. As Slater openly explains over email, he grew up in the very conservative Salt Lake City, and “as a kid, I was always the outcast of all my peers. I was born with a life-threatening disease called CAH - Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia that made me different from other kids both physically and mentally.” Life outside of school wasn’t any easier for the young Slater, who would witness domestic violence and substance abuse. This unfortunate set of circumstances led to Slater leaving home at fifteen years old, becoming homeless for the next couple of years, trying to stay in school and working full time at a local Subway. However, there was one saving grace for Kyler Slater - “Music was and has been my only outlet to communicate thoughts, feelings, issues and it honestly saved me.” As already explained, ‘Not Enough’ chronicles these feelings as is set to feature in a three-part EP series called Torn Tapes. The brooding, bass-heavy texture of ‘Not Enough’ immediately sets the tone for this musician’s introspection, which is paired with black-and-white obscure visuals. The magnifying glass is used as a physical symbol of Slater’s close mental inspection, and is powerfully honest, as can be found in the line, “I hate myself and I can’t stand this / I try to shelter you from me.” The purpose of Kyler Slater’s music is to connect with those who’ve experienced similar pain in their life, and in some way his music can act as a source of reprieve, a moment of escape from the all too harsh reality of life. - Hannah Thacker