Phoebe Katis is determined to carve her own path in music. Her breakthrough came in 2014, when she wrote and performed the theme song “All of My Life” for the BAFTA and BIFA-winning film Kilo Two Bravo. Since then, she has toured and recorded with Grammy-nominated guitarist Cory Wong, co-produced her first three albums, and built a reputation for fearless reinvention.
Her career has taken her across the USA, Europe, and the UK, sometimes as a featured vocalist with artists like Cory Wong and Sam Greenfield, and other times commanding the stage on her own. She has performed at world-renowned festivals such as Glastonbury and the Montreal Jazz Fest and graced venues like London’s Royal Albert Hall and LA’s Troubadour. She also starred in The Carole King & James Taylor Story, where she showcased her talents as a pianist, singer, and storyteller.
Now, Phoebe has released her long-awaited fifth album, “A Coming of Age,” a record built on honesty, acceptance, and, above all, the freedom to express oneself through art.
Katis admits she reached a breaking point before making this record, saying she felt “burnt out, with a scary lack of faith in my own artistry.” That raw struggle became the spark for an album she describes as unapologetically genre-less, messy, and emotional, much like life itself.
The album opens with “Time To Wake IV,” a brief instrumental introduction supported by an almost angelic chorus. Things really take off with “Good Days,” a soulful, upbeat track that blends pop, soul, and jazzy energy and premiered on BBC Introducing with Radio 1’s Abbie McCarthy.
“Chronic People Pleaser” will resonate with many listeners. Just the title feels instantly relatable. Its retro vibe, full of synths and an 80s pop edge, makes it catchy and familiar. “Kindred Lover,” featuring Sam Greenfield, adds even more flavor, leaning into a 90s-inspired feel.
Other highlights include “The One,” a slow-burning ballad that showcases Phoebe’s ability to channel emotion through a tender melody, and “Just Like That,” a piano-driven track carrying a powerful message that lingers. The album closes with “Coming of Age,” a confessional piece where she lays her heart and soul bare.
For Phoebe, this album embodies the freedom to resist being boxed in, embrace eccentricity, and continue evolving as an artist. It’s her response to an industry often obsessed with fleeting trends and marketable formulas.
“This industry wants us fully grown and already ‘on the way’ before they take notice. So you’d better have an identity! You better know who you are! But in reality, I don’t. At all. Even after this 3-year hiatus from making albums,” she admits. Still, she believes the song itself should always come first, produced in whatever style best fits its essence, whether that sounds like early 2000s indie rock or something entirely different. While she acknowledges this approach may not always be the most “sellable,” her focus remains on what she loves most: writing songs and enjoying the process of making music.
Phoebe Katis once again proves her talent for bringing variety into her work, and “A Coming of Age” is no exception. Everyone will find at least one track to love here, so give it a listen.
