Kolbe's latest single, "Dandelion," is an indie-pop masterpiece that blends raw emotion with poetic simplicity. Featuring Kendall Savage on vocals, this duet captures the complexities of love with a tenderness that's impossible to ignore. The track uses the symbolic dandelion—often dismissed as a weed—to reflect a relationship filled with beauty and pain.
Written and produced by Kolbe himself, "Dandelion" showcases his signature style: stripped-back, honest, and deeply personal. The song begins with Kendall's soulful voice, setting the stage for a female perspective on love's ups and downs. Kolbe's poignant lyrics in the second verse offer a male counterpart, and the two voices intertwine during the chorus, reflecting the song's theme of connection, even through flaws.
With lyrics like, "You just pick me and blow me away, don't know how much I can take," the song vividly describes an intoxicating and destructive relationship. It's an anthem for anyone who's ever been pulled back into a complicated love, even when they know it's toxic.
This track is the first single from Kolbe's upcoming album, "Flowers." It marks a major evolution in his sound. Produced with Lucian Nuciala, "Dandelion" is a must-listen for anyone who's felt the bittersweet pull of a love that refuses to let go.
For Kolbe, it's not about perfection—it's about truth. "Dandelion" is the perfect example of that ethos in action.
"Dandelion" beautifully captures a complicated relationship's emotional push and pull. Can you talk about the decision to use the dandelion as a symbol? What does it represent to you in the context of the song's themes of love, pain, and growth?
"Dandelion" is such a symbolic song for me. I’ve always been drawn to complex lyricism—saying something simple in a way people haven’t heard before—and the dandelion felt like the perfect fit. Funny enough, the symbol came to me first, and everything else—the lyrics, meaning, and story—followed.
I love the look and smell of dandelions, even though they’re technically weeds, which some people can’t stand. That contrast is fascinating: they’re beautiful, but biologically, they’re still weeds. It’s a lot like relationships. Sometimes, we’re drawn to things—or people—that seem beautiful on the surface, but deep down, there are red flags we just can’t ignore. That push and pull of love, pain, and growth is what the song is all about.
You co-wrote the song with Kendall Savage, and the dynamic between your voices feels incredibly intimate. How did the two of you work together to craft the song's narrative, and what was the vibe like during that creative session?
Kendall and I are best friends, so collaborating was something that just had to happen eventually. She’s got an amazing voice and is also talented on guitar, and with my background in music, it felt like a no-brainer. One day, we decided to hang out with the sole purpose of writing a song together—no plan, no ideas, just seeing what would happen.
In about an hour, everything started clicking. Kendall’s brain was firing off lyrics faster than mine while I focused on melody and instrumentation. It was the perfect balance, and honestly, we had so much fun bringing the song to life. The dynamic you hear in the track really reflects how naturally it all came together.
The lyrics of "Dandelion" are raw and vulnerable, particularly with lines like "You just pick me and blow me away, don't know how much I can take." What inspired you to explore such intense emotions, and how did you find the balance between vulnerability and the catharsis of the song?
Music is all about connection. To stand out, you have to offer something unique that resonates with people—not just yourself. While art is subjective, it’s most powerful when it creates a shared experience.
"Dandelion" is a mix of my own life and the struggles I’ve seen close friends go through. I’ve definitely been in situations where I was drawn to someone, only to later spot red flags. For me, recognizing those signs meant stepping away, but the song dives into that tension of wanting to go back again and again—a cycle I’ve seen others wrestle with.
I try to balance vulnerability with catharsis by blending personal truth and relatable emotions, creating something that feels raw but also freeing. It’s a way of saying, “You’re not alone in this.”
This track is the first single from your upcoming album, Flowers. Can you share a bit about how "Dandelion" fits into the larger theme of the album?
Funny enough, the idea for Flowers didn’t come until after "Dandelion" was written. Once that song was done, I thought, “There are so many flowers with symbolic meanings tied to real experiences I’ve dealt with.” Plus, I love flowers—they’re beautiful, meaningful, and fun to explore creatively.
On a deeper level, this album is also about solidifying my identity as an artist. Since I started releasing music as "Kolbe," I’ve experimented with different sounds and genres. But for Flowers, I wanted to focus on a cohesive sound—self-produced, simple instrumentals featuring piano, guitar, saxophone, and other instruments I’ve picked up over the years, blending indie pop and folk. This is my first full-length album, and it’s my way of planting roots, showing who I am and what I want to be known for.
You've mentioned that "Dandelion" is for people who have experienced toxic relationships. With that in mind, what do you hope listeners take away from this song?
I hope Dandelion feels like a moment of recognition for anyone who’s been in a toxic relationship. It’s not about preaching or pointing fingers—it’s about acknowledging how hard it can be to let go, even when the red flags are clear. I want listeners to feel seen, to know they’re not alone in those struggles.
At the same time, the song is a reminder to value yourself enough to walk away from situations that aren’t healthy. It’s about growth and learning that love—real love—shouldn’t constantly hurt or leave you questioning your worth. If Dandelion can give someone the clarity or encouragement to make a tough but necessary choice, then it’s done its job.