With Sweetmouth, KENTON has crafted something far beyond a debut album — it’s a vivid emotional memoir wrapped in pop brilliance. The 15-track project sees the California-based singer, songwriter, and performer translating years of family tension, cultural identity struggles, and queer self-discovery into a cohesive body of work that’s as intimate as it is anthemic.
Born to Taiwanese immigrants and raised under the shadow of religious expectations, KENTON uses Sweetmouth as a vessel for healing and understanding. The record takes its title from his childhood nickname — a term for an obedient child — but the songs inside are anything but restrained. From the wrenching opener “I’m Breaking My Father’s Heart,” where KENTON’s emotive vocals tear through regret and resilience, to “Vaporize Me,” a Hakka folk-inspired club banger, the album seamlessly blends tradition with modern pop innovation.
Tracks like “Gift of Loneliness” and “Dirty Laundry” dive into the isolation and shame that often haunt those who grow up between cultures. Meanwhile, “Wannabe American” delivers biting social commentary with a wink, pairing sharp wit with infectious production, throughout, KENTON’s ability to balance vulnerability and confidence feels magnetic — a reflection of an artist who’s done the work of understanding himself and his roots.
The album’s emotional core is elevated by a powerhouse team including Eric Cannata (Young the Giant), mixer Neal Avron (Fall Out Boy, Bishop Briggs), and mastering engineer Ruairi O’Flaherty (Lana Del Rey, Taylor Swift). Together, they help KENTON realize a sound that’s lush, cinematic, and deeply personal.
At its heart, Sweetmouth is an act of reclamation — of family, of culture, of self. It’s a bold declaration from an artist who refuses to be defined by others’ expectations and instead embraces every facet of who he is.
Sweetmouth is a stunning debut — raw, radiant, and unflinchingly honest.
