Piano and strings meet emotional weight in this cinematic reimagining of the 2020 synth-pop ballad.
Lehigh Valley, PA (June 27, 2025) – Singer-songwriter Kim Edwards invites listeners into a more vulnerable, stripped-back sonic world with the release of “Far (Strings Version),” a reimagined take on her 2020 synth-pop track that takes the heartache to a new level. Set for release on Friday, June 27, the song trades shimmering 80s textures for sweeping strings and intimate piano, spotlighting the lyrical ache and emotional core of the original.
Written in a single day—an anomaly for the typically meticulous songwriter—“Far” captures the emotional tug-of-war between longing for love and self-protection born of past wounds. That tension of wanting to be emotionally available but recognizing your own walls —that hope and hesitation—is the heart of this song. Its lyrics explore the push and pull of vulnerability, echoing the universal fear of letting someone in after you’ve been hurt. Edwards explains. “The line that still hits me the most is from the final chorus: ‘Could the walls come down / And for how long? / Enough for you to prove me wrong?’," explains Edwards. "I've felt that deeply in the past -- that idea of seeing something good come into your life, but it's hard for me to bring these walls down. I want to so badly; could I even do it long enough to let you get into my heart? So "Far" is really a song that is meant to put its arm around you and sit quietly next to you and meet you where you're at."
Cover art for "Far (Strings Version)"
Originally released in 2020, the synth-pop version of “Far” marked a creative breakthrough for Edwards as a producer. But this new version, with its organic instrumentation and emotional spaciousness, feels especially personal. “If the first version was a beautiful painting, this one is like cleaning away the varnish and seeing the deeper, richer colors underneath,” Edwards adds. Produced by longtime collaborator Jared Salte (Salt Shaker Studios), the new version of “Far” leans into Edwards’ classical piano roots and cinematic influences—calling to mind the delicate orchestration of Sleeping At Last and the lyrical poignancy of Regina Spektor. Strings were performed by Rob Szabo, with additional mixing and mastering by Spencer Cheyne (The Mixing Station).
“The original ‘Far’ was a vibe—synthy and nostalgic....But this version feels like how the song was always meant to be. The string arrangement that Jared wrote is just stunning. It adds a depth that cuts to the heart of what I was trying to say.”
Kim Edwards
This release is part of the slow reveal of Edwards’ upcoming full-length album, Vignettes—her most introspective and fully realized work to date. Known for her lush, melancholic soundscapes and journal-like lyrics, Kim Edwards continues to offer solace to the reflective listener: those searching for beauty in brokenness and strength in softness.
About Kim Edwards:
With a voice as intimate as a journal entry and melodies that echo like memory, Kim Edwards crafts cinematic, emotionally rich songs that feel both timeless and deeply personal. A Lehigh Valley, PA-based singer-songwriter with roots in classical piano and a love for storytelling-driven pop Edwards writes vignettes—poetic snapshots of longing, love, and quiet resilience.
Over the years, Edwards has developed a signature sound: moody, melancholic, and lush with introspective nuance. Inspired by the likes of Ingrid Michaelson, Regina Spektor, and Sleeping At Last, she blends lyrical vulnerability with orchestral textures often drawing comparisons to her influences while carving out a sonic world uniquely her own. Her songs have found homes in branded content for Chaco Shoes, Paraxel, and Disney Weddings, and her cover of “Auld Lang Syne” garnered over 150K Spotify streams after landing a spot on the platform’s Folksy Christmas playlist. In 2013, she was selected from hundreds of applicants for ASCAP’s prestigious Jerry Ragovoy Songwriters Workshop in NYC, has performed twice at Musikfest in Bethlehem, PA, and in storied venues like The Bitter End, Eddie’s Attic, and Bluebird Cafe.
Among her most meaningful career moments, Kim had the rare honor of opening for The Beach Boys—a lifelong dream realized for the devoted fan—and also shared a stage with Jars of Clay at a local festival. These highlights underscore her steady dedication to her craft and the quiet authenticity that resonates through her music.
Edwards is embracing music on her own terms. Her forthcoming album, Vignettes, is the most personal and fully realized project of her career. Co-produced by Jared Salte, the album serves as a dream fulfilled: “Each song has its own special place in my heart,” she says. “There’s not a single filler.”
Now a mother and entering into a reflective new chapter, Kim Edwards stands as a reminder that in a world obsessed with virality and speed, artistry rooted in depth, patience, and honesty endures. Her music offers a quiet refuge for the reflective listener—those seeking comfort, catharsis, or simply the feeling of being seen.