The song finds magic in miscommunication, channeling vulnerability into an irresistible pop groove
South Korean artist-producer Ziv teams up with P-Pop girl group KAIA for his official new single, “Walkie Talkie,” out today via Sony Music Entertainment.
An ode to the dissonance of one-sided love or infatuation, “Walkie Talkie” uses the metaphor of mismatched frequencies to explore the intricacies of missed connections and unreciprocated feelings.
The track marks Ziv’s first collaboration as a lead artist and his second professional project with a signed act, following his work with award-winning Filipino folk-pop outfit, Ben&Ben on select songs from their third studio album, The Traveller Across Dimensions and their recent single “Saranggola.”
“And for my first collaboration, I am honored that it’s with KAIA,” shares the Philippine-raised, Korean multi-hyphenate in a recent Instagram post. “I saw how passionate and talented they are, and I am very thankful to them for hopping on this song with me! I am really excited to bring this song out for all to hear.”
Ziv reveals that the song was inspired by a friend of his who had a crush he believed felt the same way. However, it turned out the feelings were one-sided. “That’s where the inspiration for the lyrics came from. In hindsight, the fact that he shared everything through messages may have subconsciously sparked the idea of using a communication device as a metaphor.”
For their part, KAIA’s verses, according to them, were born from personal stories and shared experiences. “Our lyrics represent the universal sentiment of talking to someone who doesn’t even care about reciprocating the same enthusiasm,” KAIA explains. “That’s where the ‘walkie-talkie’ idea came in. It’s an ode to the folks whose vibe doesn’t match with each other despite the effort from the other camp. It helped us write our part with a mix of calm and uncertainty, and we wanted to capture and reflect that honesty in the lyrics.”
Known for his smooth, bedroom pop aesthetic with subtle electronic flourishes, Ziv leans into chilled-out sonic territory for “Walkie Talkie,” crafting an irresistible jam with crossover appeal. For their part, KAIA brings a fresh wave of polish and sincerity to the track, infusing their signature bubble-gum pop and 2000s-inspired R&B with quiet introspection.
The collab tune shines with layered textures, velvety vocals, and a delicate balance of restraint and emotion—solid proof that sometimes, contrasting frequencies can still create harmonies.
Ziv shared that the production process was challenging, but it ultimately pushed him to tap deeper into his creative instincts. He praised KAIA for their dedication and artistic discernment, noting how rare it is for artists to take such an initiative in perfecting their vocal recordings to truly honor the song’s message.
He adds, “Usually, I have to be the one to push artist to redo takes, or convey it in a different way. But with KAIA, it was really easy for me in a way because they knew what needed to be done, and I rarely had to be the one to push them. Sometimes, they challenged me on creative standpoint as a producer, which I appreciate.”
A music video accompanying the song is set to premiere soon on Ziv’s official YouTube channel. A joint creative effort, the visual narrative will echo the song’s core theme: the beauty and complexity of connection in a world of crossed wires.
Ziv’s “Walkie Talkie”, featuring KAIA, is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.
