Kelsey Montanez doesn’t need a dramatic crescendo to grab your attention- she’s mastered the art of turning life’s in-between moments into anthems. On her latest release, ‘All There Is’, the Chicago-based songwriter leans into jangling guitars, wry lyricism, and a breezy sense of acceptance that feels anything but passive.
From its opening riff, the track feels like the glow of neon on a rain-washed street- familiar yet full of possibility. Rather than chasing perfection, Montanez embraces the imperfect, sketching out a world where pouring drinks, dodging rent, and chasing dreams can be just as valid a form of success as making it big. “If this is it, I’m alright,” the song seems to say- and you believe her.
Vocally, Montanez floats somewhere between sun-soaked confidence and smoky grit. Her delivery is all charm and clarity, but there’s a knowing wink behind the lines. There’s a playfulness here- a celebration of survival, of scraping by with purpose, of finding euphoria in small victories.
The production nods to ‘90s alt-pop and early 2000s indie radio- think a more grounded Sheryl Crow, or a less jaded Liz Phair. But it’s not nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake. It’s more like Montanez is digging through her influences and pulling out the bits that still resonate: sincerity, grit, melody. She pairs upbeat instrumentation with lyrics that walk a tightrope between romantic idealism and hard-earned realism.
‘All There Is’ may be a track about making peace with your place in the world, but it’s also a low-key mission statement. Montanez isn’t waiting for anyone’s permission to shine- she’s doing it in real-time, under bar lights and between shifts, guitar in hand and heart on sleeve.
It’s a song that doesn’t just play in your ears- it follows you around for the rest of the day. And by the time that chorus rolls around again, you’re not just singing along- you’re smiling, too.