Sunkissed Child Brings Gritty Edge to UK Alt-R&B Sound on ‘I Said It’

Lebanese singer-songwriter Sunkissed Child has been steadily carving out her own lane in London’s underground alternative scene. Her sound sits at the intersection of Alt-R&B, soul, and jazz - carrying the breezy warmth of Olivia Dean, but with a fierce, independent edge. Weaving sharp, narrative lyricism with traditional Middle Eastern melodic motifs, her music fearlessly unpacks identity, intimacy, and self-reflection. 

In her latest offering, ‘I Said It’, the artist sheds the polished veneer of contemporary soul and the soft tropes of R&B for something altogether grittier, without losing her signature introspection. The track plays out like a vulnerable, late-night confession, navigating the jagged realities of heartbreak and the sobering clarity of realizing a relationship is dead. 

While the production twists alternative R&B with heavy electronica - layering distorted guitar textures and crisp, snapping drums over floating synth patterns- the vocals are where Sunkissed Child goes rogue. Replacing the feathery, delicate delivery of her past releases, she opts for a punchy, shout-it-from-the-rooftops performance that perfectly mirrors her emotional turbulence. Lyrically, the track channels the raw, unapologetic energy of Lola Young’s 'Messy'. Sunkissed Child pours out her anger without filter or apology, delivering a polarising, love-it-or-hate-it anthem of pure catharsis. 

With ‘I Said It’, Sunkissed Child pushes further into sonic experimentation, embracing discomfort rather than sanding down its edges. It’s a bold creative pivot that makes her a talent worth keeping an eye on within the increasingly crowded London’s Alt-R&B landscape.c