Kiesza is ready to close out an era, and she’s doing it where she feels most at home: on the dancefloor.
The electro-pop artist has released her latest single, “When I’m Dancing,” a track that doubles as both a personal release and a preview of what’s to come on Dancing and Crying: Volume 3, out May 8. The project marks the newest installment in her Dancing and Crying catalogue, a series rooted in movement, emotion, and self-reflection.
A Love Letter to Letting Go
“When I’m Dancing” leans into Kiesza’s signature rhythm-driven sound while sharpening its emotional core. The song draws from her time living in New York City, where nights out alone became a way to process uncertainty.
In a statement, Kiesza describes dance as more than expression, it’s survival.
“Dancing has always been my crying, my refuge,” she shared. “This song is about allowing your body to feel what words can’t.”
That idea pulses through the track. It’s built for the club, but it’s not escapism for the sake of it. Instead, it captures the release that comes from losing yourself in music, even briefly.
A Visual That Centers Queer Creativity
The music video for “When I’m Dancing” expands that message with a strong focus on queer artistry. It features dancer Jaylen Brown and visual artist Kylie Watt, bringing LGBTQ+ talent to the forefront (okay Kiesza, we see your allyship!).
Directed by Shiraz Higgins, the video leans into bold styling and choreography while creating a world that feels both intimate and theatrical. It was filmed in Victoria, British Columbia, on the traditional and unceded territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən, W̱SÁNEĆ, and W̱SĺḴEM peoples, a detail the production acknowledges as part of its creative footprint.
The result is a visual that doesn’t just accompany the song, it deepens it. Movement becomes storytelling, echoing the track’s focus on release and connection.
The Next Wave of Music
Dancing and Crying: Volume 3 arrives as the newest chapter in a series that has defined Kiesza’s recent work. Across the series, she’s explored how joy and pain often exist side by side, especially within dance culture.
This latest release also reflects her long path back to music after a life-altering car accident paused her career. Since returning, she’s taken a more independent approach, shaping her sound on her own terms.
That evolution shows here. The project pulls from multiple collaborators, including Jess Cake, Bradley Spence, and producer Al-P, whose studio work helped bring the track to life.
Kiesza frames the song as both a message to listeners and a reflection for herself, a reminder of how far she’s come.
Taking the Energy on Tour
The next phase kicks off later this month when Kiesza brings Dancing and Crying back on the road. The tour launches May 20 in Atlanta and will hit cities across the U.S. and Europe, including stops in New York, London, and Berlin.
Select dates will feature rapper and singer Rye Rye, adding another layer to the live experience.
The shows are designed to mirror the spirit of the series: movement, release, and shared energy. For Kiesza, that connection remains at the center of everything.
A Return That Feels Personal
Kiesza first broke through in 2014 with “Hideaway,” a track that became a global hit and introduced her distinct mix of dance and storytelling. In the years since, she’s worked with artists across electronic music while continuing to evolve her sound.
Now, Dancing and Crying: Volume 3 feels like a full-circle moment.
It’s not just about closing a chapter, it’s about honoring the journey that got her here. And if “When I’m Dancing” is any indication, she’s ending it on a note that invites everyone to feel something, then let it go under the lights.
