B-Side Guys

Relationships end. Acknowledgment arrives late. Between these truths lies Kylie Rothfield’s February 2025 single “Temporary,” a dream pop confession wrapped in indie rock instrumentation that confronts the elaborate fictions we construct to preserve doomed connections.

The track showcases why Rothfield has earned praise from industry titans like Alicia Keys (who described her as “a blossoming, powerful flower with so much heart”) and Faith Hill (who claimed “she could sing ANYTHING”). Her voice navigates emotional contradictions with remarkable dexterity—simultaneously conveying resignation and defiance, attachment and detachment.

“Temporary” opens with urban imagery, placing listeners on “state street” amid interpersonal tension. The production immediately establishes contrast—ethereal synth elements float above grounded percussion, creating a dreamlike quality that mirrors the relationship’s disconnection from reality. As Rothfield confesses preferring a city to her lover, the arrangement expands to accommodate this emotional sprawl.

The chorus delivers the track’s central paradox with stunning economy. While detailing the relationship’s financial constraints, chemical dependencies, and communication blocks, Rothfield repeatedly returns to the devastating observation that both parties are “always acting like it’s not temporary.” This refrain functions as both accusation and confession, acknowledging mutual responsibility for sustaining the illusion.

Most revealing are the moments of ambivalence toward the relationship’s superficiality. When Rothfield details arriving at her lover’s door at dawn “just for the story,” she captures how contemporary relationships sometimes prioritize narrative over nurturing. The line “at least you can say that you have never been bored” transforms potential criticism into backhanded compliment, suggesting entertainment value might be the relationship’s primary currency.

Instrumentally, the track balances Rothfield’s accomplished guitar work with production choices that enhance rather than overwhelm her vocal performance. Dream pop elements provide emotional texture while indie rock foundations deliver the rhythmic urgency that propels the narrative forward.

“Temporary” ultimately succeeds by resisting resolution. Rather than concluding with definitive breakup or reconciliation, the song ends suspended in that peculiar limbo where both parties recognize impermanence yet continue performing permanence—a beautiful delusion captured in four perfect minutes of pop craftsmanship.