Singer-songwriter Kelsey Hickman unleashes a gripping new music video for her latest single, “Novocaine.” Directed by Stormlight Pictures, the visual brings the song’s central metaphor to life—romance as an addiction—capturing the emotional spiral of a toxic love that numbs you even as you crave the next hit.
With “Novocaine,” Hickman steps boldly into a new era of her artistry. The single and video showcase her ability to fuse country storytelling with rock‑driven intensity, delivering a performance that is both vulnerable and electrifying. The video mirrors the song’s emotional descent, painting a dark portrait of a love you know is breaking you—but can’t walk away from. “It’s novocaine, straight to the veins, you drive me insane, your novocaine.”
Screamer Magazine captured Hickman’s duality perfectly, calling her “a little bit country, a little bit rock ’n’ roll.” That blend is on full display here—raw, authentic, and impossible to ignore.
Hickman’s sound leans into her Illinois country roots while embracing the grit of rock and blues. The Honey Pop praised the single as “a stellar introduction” for new listeners, noting how her voice cuts through the track’s blues‑infused production with power and soul. After several years without releasing new music, “Novocaine” marks a striking return.
The video captures the emotional self‑harm of loving someone so intensely that you stay—even when it hurts. Hickman’s performance makes the ache feel visceral. She doesn’t just sing the story; she embodies it. “People say country music isn’t country anymore,” she says. “I believe country music comes from your heart, from what you believe in as a person. That’s where my music comes from.”
All Country Music News echoed the sentiment, writing: “The rising star has found the perfect middle ground between punk and country… ‘Novocaine’ breaks genre barriers and will help Hickman attract fans across the spectrum.”
About Kelsey Hickman
Illinois-born and Nashville-based, Kelsey Hickman has built a reputation as a powerhouse performer, captivating audiences across Music City with her soulful vocals and fearless stage presence. A regular at iconic venues including Tootsies Orchid Lounge, she brings a mix of sweetness, grit, and unapologetic attitude to every performance.
Hickman’s musical journey began early. She wrote her first song at 12, starred in local musicals, and by 16 became the lead singer of Midwest band Still Kickn’, performing for crowds of more than 25,000 and opening for artists like Lady A, Chris Young, Montgomery Gentry, Easton Corbin, and Tracy Lawrence.
Her path wasn’t without hardship. As her parents’ marriage unraveled, music became both the source of conflict and her escape. “I lost myself in songwriting and performing,” she says. “It became my saving grace.” When Still Kickn’ disbanded in 2013, Hickman stepped into her solo career with renewed purpose.
Working with producer Kent Wells—known for his work with Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, and Kenny Rogers—Hickman released her debut single “Gone” and her full-length album Gypsy in 2016. Wells co-wrote the single with Bill DiLuigi, a grand prize winner of American Songwriter’s lyric contest with more than 300 recorded cuts.
Today, Hickman continues to evolve her sound, blending country, rock, and blues into something uniquely her own. “I want to write and perform music that my listeners can connect with,” she says. “If I’ve done that, I’ve done what I’m here to do.”
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