Kwun – Soft Animal (2026)
Following his passion for music, singer-songwriter Kwun said, “becoming a musician happened organically and was actually not something I aspired to initially. I just wanted to sing, and so I learnt to play the piano and guitar to accompany myself…” – shared in our 2025 interview with Kwun. With his eclectic sound, ranging from soul to afrobeat and rock, the UK-based musician and producer takes listeners on sonic journeys with each melody. We first came across Kwun in 2022 with his track ‘Supernatural’. Today, we take a look and listen to his most recent release, ‘Soft Animal’.
Following his 2025 singles ‘Sovereignty’ and ‘Cuica’, Kwun opens 2026 with ‘Soft Animal’. Shifting from the upbeat, toe-tapping, funk-tinged ‘Cuica’, ‘Soft Animal’ is an airy, acoustic ballad that sends you on an ethereal flight instead of pumping the funky grooves. Opening with a simplistic combination of piano and drums – piano taking the fore and really leading the track – Kwun sets the stage for something gentle, charming and tranquil. In its tender tone, you feel calm and safe while a sonic blanket envelops you; then things change slightly.
While ‘Soft Animal’ retains the honest beauty of an acoustic track, it shifts from simplistic to an intricate weave of haunting elements. As the song progresses, Kwun maintains the piano and drum harmony but adds strings, introducing another layer of intimacy. Moreover, as you move along the tune, the swelling of the strings adds greater weightiness to the track. The thing is, as much as ‘Soft Animal’ grows in its soul-stirring melody, the barebones sentimentality remains throughout.
One aspect I enjoy about ‘Soft Animal’ is how the melody so perfectly aligns with the sound and soul of the lyricism. A song of vulnerability and fragility, but simultaneously reflective empowerment and understanding that it’s alright to be completely yourself – in fact, being uniquely you is what makes one exceptional. The growth in theme, emotion and sound is heard in the introspective rush from quiet confidentiality to outgoing earnestness.
Find out more about Kwun on his official website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Spotify.
Listen to more of our highly recommended songs on The Other Side Recommends playlist:
