Music — Consumed
2020 · King Princess
"Only Time Makes it Human" finds King Princess in her most vulnerable mode yet. The production is deliberately restrained, mostly piano and subtle synth textures, letting her voice carry the emotional weight. It's a different approach from some of her more maximalist pop moments, more interested in space and breath than hooks.
The songwriting focuses on the unglamorous reality of intimacy, how relationships require patience and the willingness to be messy. There's a maturity here that feels earned, not performed. The chorus doesn't explode into catharsis but instead sits with discomfort, which makes it more affecting. Her vocal performance walks a line between conversational and melodic, never overselling the sentiment.
What makes this track work is its restraint. In an era of overproduced pop confessionals, King Princess lets the song breathe. The arrangement knows when to pull back, when to let silence do the work. It's the kind of single that rewards repeated listens, revealing small production details and lyrical nuances that aren't obvious on first pass.