Mumbai-based singer-songwriter and DJ Kayan (Ambika Nayak) has officially released her eagerly awaited debut EP, Is Love Enough?, a big milestone in her musical journey. With this, she finally pulls back the curtain on a more intimate version of herself. She leans into the questions: What do we ask for when we ask to be loved? And what happens when that love isn't enough?
Kayan’s Is Love Enough? is an emotionally charged journey that traces the warmth, weight, longing, and loss that love can encompass. Each of the EP’s five songs offers a distinct vibe and chapter of the story, yet they’re all interlinked. The music seamlessly combines the sounds of R&B-pop with influences across the sonic moodboard– from amapiano, afro-inspired rhythms to slick electronic textures. The result is a set of club-ready tracks that feel like pages torn from Kayan’s diary, charting the course of a relationship in real time.
Together, these songs act as chapters mapping the complex emotions of love, from the thrill of desire to the ache of heartbreak. The EP was written and composed by Kayan herself, with production support from collaborators like Val and Lil Help, highlighting her versatility as both vocalist and songwriter.
Personal Reflections: Is Love Enough?
Beyond the polished production and catchy hooks, Is Love Enough? remains deeply personal at its core. Kayan reveals that the project was born from her own experiences and questions about love.
'Every year, life throws something new at me that feels like some great big learning. This year, life made me question love, and so I wrote several songs which are now part of my debut EP,” Kayan shares 'From the thrill of desire to the ache of absence, Is Love Enough? traces the quiet questions we carry in relationships – the ones we often leave unanswered. It’s a record that doesn’t try to define love, but simply documents how it feels in the moments we’re in it, losing it, or finding our way back to ourselves,' she adds, reflecting on the EP’s intent.
Creative Expression
Kayan’s artistic vision extends beyond audio into striking visual storytelling. Accompanying the EP are imaginative music videos that bring her songs’ emotions to life. In the ethereal, fantastical video for Good Kinda Love, Kayan portrays a mermaid caught in a fleeting yet intoxicating romance, set against surreal, dreamy aesthetics. The whimsical short film explores the thrill of new love and the quiet heartbreak of letting go, packing a cinematic punch that feels both magical and deeply personal. On the other hand, the visuals for her previous song, Hold Me Down draw from Kayan’s cultural heritage and training. Having studied Bharatanatyam (Indian classical dance) for eight years, Kayan infuses this background into the video’s choreography and styling. She appears adorned in repurposed silk saris and heirloom jewelry, blending traditional elegance with contemporary flair as she delivers a message of empowerment. These videos create a vivid world, adding new layers of meaning to the music and demonstrating Kayan’s multi-faceted creativity.
A Milestone Year for Kayan
The release of Is Love Enough? caps off an extraordinary year for Kayan, underscoring her rise as one of India’s most exciting young artists. In early 2025, she had the honour of opening for global superstar Ed Sheeran during his concert in Shillong, performing to a stadium of 30,000 and winning over new fans. Kayan also made her international debut as a DJ, playing her first set in Australia and launching a 10-city tour called Kayan Vision back home. (In addition to her singing career, Kayan has built a reputation as a formidable DJ, with genre-fluid sets that have lit up clubs and festivals from Mumbai to Abu Dhabi.)
With Is Love Enough?, Kayan proves that her creative evolution is only just beginning. The EP is available now on all major streaming platforms, inviting listeners into its heartfelt narrative. True to its name, the record leaves us pondering that central question without trying to answer it outright – instead, Kayan lets her music and lyrics capture the kaleidoscope of feelings that love can spark. As fans hit play on these five tracks, they’re not just hearing songs, but stepping into a sincere exploration of love’s many faces, guided by an artist who isn’t afraid to wear her heart on her sleeve.
Words Harita Odedara
27.06.2025