This Friday, Canadian singer-songwriter Adam Klobi unveils his most intimate work yet—“Piece of Mind”—a touching collaboration with fellow rising star Renforshort. The single marks Klobi’s first-ever duet, and it beautifully expands his growing sonic universe: a delicate balance of folk-inspired textures, heartfelt pop melodies, and emotional storytelling that feels both personal and universal.
Built around soft acoustic layers and shimmering production, “Piece of Mind” tells the story of a relationship teetering between closeness and collapse—a love that’s tender, turbulent, and painfully self-aware. Adam and Renforshort’s voices intertwine seamlessly, trading verses that mirror two perspectives of the same emotional truth. The result is a song that feels cinematic in scope yet strikingly human in detail.
The duo teased the track with a sweet and intimate video snippet, offering a glimpse into the chemistry that drives their collaboration. There’s a rawness in their delivery that echoes the honesty of artists like Phoebe Bridgers, Noah Kahan, or Lizzy McAlpine, yet “Piece of Mind” stands firmly in its own lane—crafted with restraint, clarity, and empathy.
This new single follows the success of “RUT,” Adam’s breakout track that resonated with listeners worldwide for its unfiltered reflection on mental health and the weight of growing up in a hyper-connected, post-pandemic generation. While “RUT” wrestled with stagnation and self-doubt, “Piece of Mind” feels like its emotional sequel—a moment of release, reconciliation, and the fragile hope that healing might be possible through connection.
At just 23 years old, Adam Klobi is carving out a space that feels essential in today’s alt-pop landscape. His music captures the voice of a generation learning to navigate heartbreak, digital noise, and the quiet pursuit of peace amid the chaos
“Piece of Mind” marks your first-ever duet — how did the collaboration with Renforshort come about, and what made her the right artist to tell this story with you?
I’d been in a few solo sessions with producer Jeff Hazin in Toronto, and he wanted to introduce me to Ren, having her join our next session as a writer. I hadn’t heard any of her work at the time, but meeting another local artist in a city that seems to be ever-shrinking? Of course, I was up for it! We decided to write from scratch that day and instantly locked onto a topic we both connected with. As soon as I heard her voice sing the chorus, I knew I couldn’t release it without her playing a bigger part. Ren really brings the song to life.
The song dives into the complexity of a relationship — was it inspired by a personal experience, or more of an imagined emotional landscape?
I think, although it’s not a direct retelling of either of our past relationships, there are pieces of both of us embedded into it. Some sections and lyrics are more of a look inward — touching on the ways we romanticize relationships or what we wish our partner would be. It’s about realizing that thinking another person could fix the issues in your relationship isn’t possible before evaluating your own role within it.
You’ve mentioned before that your songwriting comes from a place of vulnerability. What does emotional honesty mean to you in an era where everything is so curated online?
I try to be as open and honest in my lyricism as I can because I know from experience that a song can really change the way you see the world and the people around you. Lately, I’ve found it really hard to be a part of the curated online era. I tend to overthink and overanalyze the things I post because it can feel so vulnerable at times. That said, I find comfort in knowing that no matter what people see or how you’re perceived externally, if you’re emotionally honest in your writing, it will shine through all of the noise.
Your sound beautifully merges folk-inspired textures with pop sensibilities. How do you balance those two worlds without losing authenticity in either?
Haha, it does for now… I think it shouldn’t really matter what genres you choose to explore as long as it feels true to who you are and the message you want to convey. Growing up, I didn’t listen to much folk music and don’t have deep-rooted ties to it by any means, but I think it’s a testament to the idea that as long as you’re providing substance and value through what you believe in, others will believe in it too.
“RUT” resonated deeply for its raw take on mental health. How do you navigate sharing personal struggles in your music while still protecting your own sense of peace?
It’s definitely not the easiest thing to balance. However, I think it’s important that if I’m in a position to open up the floor for conversations that could make a positive impact or bring light to often “dark” topics, I should utilize it. We all struggle with our own vices on a day-to-day basis, and believe me, I’m still figuring myself out. I just write in hopes that my emotions can connect with people, even in the smallest of ways. Music is a lifeline for so many of us.
At 23, your music often feels like a reflection of growing up in uncertain times — from the pandemic to media saturation. How has that cultural backdrop shaped your creative process?
It’s quite literally soaked into everything I write. As I begin to release the next set of songs, there’s definitely a throughline from my debut single to, I’m sure, something I’ll release 10 years from now — nostalgia. Romanticizing what once was. In uncertain times, the first thing we do as humans is look to the past. Personally, I’m a victim of that — of “the good old days.” Being transported to an almost alternate time, even for just two or three minutes, can be the nostalgia hit we need to remind ourselves that it’s all going to be okay.
If “Piece of Mind” had a visual world — colors, imagery, or moods — what would it look and feel like?
Watch “500 Days of Summer”… next question 🙂
How does writing a duet differ from writing a solo track emotionally and creatively? Did it change the way you approach storytelling through music?
Honestly, I don’t think much changed within the writing process — if anything, it was easier. Having someone you can count on to give an equal amount of effort, because it’s just as much their song as yours, is amazing. I’m sure making sure both artists are happy with the song at every stage can be a total nightmare, but Ren was quite the opposite. An angel — with a voice like one.
Many of your songs explore introspection and connection. What message or feeling do you hope listeners carry with them after hearing “Piece of Mind”?
Most of my songs tend to look inward because it’s how I process my feelings and emotions. In the same way a painter uses a canvas or an actor calls upon memories to bring scenes to life, writing, for me, works the same way. If listeners walk away reevaluating why they’re in a relationship in the first place, I’ve done my job. Is it for you? Is it for them? Is it because it’s easy? Because starting over would be too hard? You need to find love within yourself before you can truly let someone else love you.
Looking ahead, how do you see your sound evolving — do you want to lean more into collaboration, or continue deepening your solo storytelling voice?
I’m always open to collaborations if the song feels right for both artists, but I think I’ll let my own voice shine through for the next while. My sound is definitely taking a slight turn very soon — it’ll still be very me, and the writing will come from the same places, but I’m taking it back to what I grew up listening to. Let’s just call it my own way of romanticizing the 2000s and showing what I came from.
