Finding Familiar in the Unknown: Naylon Opens Up About "Kiss Me in the Same Way"

For the past several years, Naylon has been carving out her place as an independent pop artist, blending heartfelt storytelling with polished, emotionally driven songwriting. But behind every new release is a chapter of real life, and “Kiss Me in the Same Way” may be her most personal yet. Born from a season of loss, change, and unexpected homecoming after the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires forced her to leave behind the life she had spent six years building, the song captures the comfort of finding familiarity in the people who remain constant when everything else has changed. Wrapped in bright melodies and nostalgic energy, Kiss Me in the Same Way reveals a carefree new side of Naylon while staying true to the emotional honesty that has become a hallmark of her music. We caught up with Naylon to talk about the inspiration behind the single, reuniting with longtime collaborator ＦＥＲＲＯ, and why this release feels like the beginning of an exciting new chapter.

Q. What inspired the song, and what story are you hoping listeners take away from it?

Kiss Me In The Same Way emerged during an unexpected and disorienting chapter in my life. After losing my apartment in the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, I made the difficult decision to return to my hometown in Nebraska after spending six years building a life in Los Angeles. Returning home felt like stepping inside a time capsule. Everything and everyone seemed familiar, yet so much had changed that it felt almost unrecognizable.
In the midst of that transition, drinks with an old friend sparked the song’s central idea: even when the world around us changes, there are a few people who can instantly bring us back to a familiar feeling. I hope listeners find whatever they need in the song. I always love hearing the different meanings people take from my music, and I think that's one of the most special parts of songwriting.

Q. The title is really intriguing. What does "Kiss Me in the Same Way" mean to you personally?

To me, “Kiss Me In The Same Way” is about someone bringing you back to a familiar feeling

Q. You reunited with your frequent collaborator, Ferruccio Montanino (ＦＥＲＲＯ) for this release. What keeps bringing you two back together creatively?

ＦＥＲＲＯ and I first connected during the COVID-19 pandemic over a songwriting session on Zoom. We later both found ourselves living in Los Angeles where we continued to collaborate on different projects. We have always understood each other well musically, but even more importantly as people, which can be difficult to find in a collaborator. We are great friends which makes working together a fun process.

Q. You and ＦＥＲＲＯ previously worked together on “Pretend We're Kids”. How was the creative process different this time around?

The creation process for the song was actually very similar to Pretend We’re Kids. I started by writing the song and recorded a rough idea. I then brought the rough idea to ＦＥＲＲＯ, and from there we figured out where the song should live sonically. We recorded the lead vocal in the studio together while I was in Los Angeles, and then I recorded additional background vocals and adlibs virtually from Nebraska later.

Q. Was there a particular moment during the writing or recording process when you realized this song was something special?

When I catch myself listening to the demo on repeat every time I get in the car, that's usually a good sign.

Q. Can you walk us through how the song came together, from the first idea to the finished recording?

For this record I started with a concept. From there I began writing and building a story around a loop I found before recording a rough outline. I took a songwriting trip to Los Angeles last July and brought the idea into the studio with ＦＥＲＲＯ. We figured out where the song should live sonically and recorded the lead vocals. ＦＥＲＲＯ produced out a fuller version of the song and I recorded additional vocals from my bedroom in Nebraska and we finished the song virtually!

Q. Did this song evolve much from your original vision, or did it stay true to the first demo?

It's actually one of the few songs where the very first demo stayed incredibly close to the finished version.

Q. Emotionally, where were you in life when you wrote "Kiss Me in the Same Way," and has your relationship with the song changed since then?

I began writing this song during a disorienting chapter in my life. I had just relocated from Los Angeles back to my hometown and it felt like stepping into a time capsule. Everything felt the same as I’d remembered on a surface level, but all the relationships around me had evolved and changed. Conceptually this song came from a place of looking for familiarity in my relationships. One of my favorite things about songwriting is that the same song can mean something completely different depending on where you are in life. I experience that with my own songs too.

Q. Without giving too much away, is there a lyric or moment in the song that means the most to you?

I think the chorus means the most to me because it captures the heart of the song.

Q. What was it like working with a producer who has collaborated with artists like Faouzia and Arden Jones? Did that experience influence the direction of the track?

ＦＥＲＲＯ is an incredibly talented and intuitive creator! I’m always amazed by his ability to move effortlessly between genres. Our songwriting process together is always fun, and I’m grateful we have been able to collaborate for so many years. While we didn’t directly pull inspiration from Faouzia or Arden Jones for this song, both are incredible artists that I love listening to.

Q. Sonically, how does this release compare to your previous music? Is it a continuation of your sound or the beginning of a new chapter?

I think this is a side that my listeners haven’t heard from me before. I’d say it's more carefree and fun which is an angle I’ve shied away from in the past. As an artist my sound and inspirations are constantly evolving. I hope people hear a different side of me, because it's one I've really enjoyed exploring.

Q. If someone has never heard your music before, why should "Kiss Me in the Same Way" be their introduction?

It's emotionally honest, disguised in an upbeat and nostalgic way, which I think gives listeners a good sense of who I am as an artist.

Q. Are there any plans for a music video, live performances, or other content surrounding the release?

I'm currently working on a video for the song that I can't wait to share. Stay tuned!

Q. Looking beyond July, what's next for you? Can fans expect more singles, an EP, or an album in the near future?

I'm currently working toward my debut EP, with the long-term goal of releasing a full-length album. This year I'm pouring most of my focus into writing new music and bringing these songs to the stage.

With “Kiss Me in the Same Way”, Naylon transforms a season of uncertainty into a reminder that even life's biggest changes can lead to something meaningful. The single offers a glimpse into an artist who isn't afraid to embrace vulnerability while continuing to push her sound in new directions. As she works toward her debut EP and prepares to bring these songs to the stage, one thing is clear: Naylon isn't simply revisiting familiar ground, she's confidently stepping into the next chapter of her career, inviting listeners to come along for the journey.Keep up with Naylon and other indie artists via Loud and Heavy Booking.