What's Left Unsaid (album)

## Singles

1. "Regret"
March 12, 2021
2. "Retrospect"
April 23, 2021
3. "Cross Your Mind"
July 23, 2021
4. "Happy Birthday"
January 29, 2022

***What's Left Unsaid*** is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Sean Kennedy, independently released on June 11, 2021. Kennedy was skeptical to release a record three years in a row, and originally planned to take some time off before planning another album. However, following lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sean found himself back in the studio. Kennedy stated that the album’s title, “speaks to the idea that as a songwriter, I can decide which words, events and feelings are included in my story, and which ones aren’t. This record is a collection of my once unsaid feelings.” Thematically, *What's Left Unsaid* revolves around themes of self love and perseverance.

In an Instagram post Sean shared on the day of the album’s release, he wrote, "I don't know what's going to come after this record and for the first time, I'm happy to not have a plan. If you had told me in 2018 that in four years, I would be releasing my third record, I wouldn't have believed you." Sean holds the sole writing and production credits on 11 out of the 12 tracks.

## Background and Release

Following the release of his sophomore record, *The One*, Sean had planned to take a hiatus. However, following the COVID-19 pandemic, Kennedy began to work on another project. He began pulling unfinished songs written during his past two albums, as well as writing reflections about his musical journey. Sean stated that the project, "...came together fluidly" and that "...nothing was forced". Sessions for *What's Left Unsaid* began as early as April 2020, and continued up until March 2021. Sean announced that the album would be the closing chapter in *The High School Trilogy*, as well as his last album of high school.

Reflecting on the album in his documentary, Sean noted:

> *What's Left Unsaid* was probably the most natural a record process has ever been for me. I was just sitting in the studio every day, constantly making things, because I had so many ideas. And to me, it felt like the perfect album to close out high school with. It felt like this culmination of every emotion that I once felt that I didn't really talk about, and it felt like I'd put this all into an album that, in my opinion, is definitely my best yet.
>
>

On January 9, 2021, Sean posted a photo on his social medias of a studio, with the caption "funny seeing you here" (the opening lyric to his then unreleased single). On February 12, 2021 an activity ran on Kennedy's website where fans could enter their name and receive a note. The note included additional lyrics to the single. Three days later, the Instagram account @SeanKennedyOfficial began posting segments of the single's artwork. "Regret" was officially announced on February 19, 2021 and released on March 12, 2021. The album's title was hidden in a magazine in the song's music video.

A month later, on April 16, 2021, Sean announced he had one more song to share before the release of his third record. He stated the song, "may be one of the most important songs in [his] discography". On April 23, 2021, "Retrospect" was released as the album's first promo single. The album's title and track list were announced alongside the song's release.

An album trailer was released to promote the record on May 21, 2021. The video included three songs unreleased at the time: "Happy Birthday", "Cross Your Mind" and "First". The trailer consisted of studio clips, footage of Kennedy and Giuliana Calandrucci during recording sessions and clips from the album photoshoot. The album was made available for preorder the same day, and *What's Left Unsaid* was officially released on June 11, 2021.

> This album has a different tone than my past records. I think it signifies peace, in the wake of some very hectic emotions. These are topics that I haven't discussed, and reflections that I haven't addressed. And now, they're yours.
>
>

On August 6, 2021, an acoustic remix of the album's second single, "Cross Your Mind", was released, and the album was reissued with the remix as the thirteenth track on certain platforms.

## Music and Lyrics

*What's Left Unsaid* includes 12 tracks. The album is primary focused around synthesizers, processed backing vocals, strings and programmed drums.

The opening track and the lead single, "Regret", is an electro-pop ballad about running into an ex. "Cross Your Mind" is a mid-tempo duet with Sean's close friend Giuliana Calandrucci. "Rebound" is a synth-pop track with a pulsating synth bass and heavily processed backing vocals. "My Worth" tackles Sean's biggest insecurities and desires.

"What You Did" is an interlude that features sprechstimme. "Happy Birthday", the album's third single, is a hip-hop influenced track with heavy drums and melotron strings. "You Wouldn't" is a baroque pop track about a partner's infidelity. "Better Off" is Kennedy's third collaboration with Evan Volkman and opens with a simple electric guitar line before building with synths and percussion.

"Retrospect" is an indie-pop track in which Kennedy sings about believing in yourself. "This Moment" is a sparse pop song about running away with a lover. "Have You" is an alt-pop song with a vibrating bass and large percussion. The album's closing track, "First", is an electro-pop ballad in which Kennedy leaves behind those who see him as a second option.

## Title and Artwork

Originally unsure of what to name his third body of work, Sean briefly considered making the record self-titled, among others. However, he began reflecting on the themes of the album and eventually landed on *What's Left Unsaid*. Kennedy stated that the album’s title, “speaks to the idea that as a songwriter, I can decide which words, events and feelings are included in my story, and which ones aren’t. This record is a collection of my once unsaid feelings.” *What's Left Unsaid* is the first time Kennedy discusses his career within his music, and Sean noted that gossip was a driving force behind the creation of the album. The cover depicts Kennedy on a dock sitting perpendicular to the camera looking out at the water. Sean's wearing a bomber jacket, which was sold on his merch store towards the end of *The One* era. This could symbolize how Kennedy was still in the era for his second album when Covid hit, forcing him to end it abruptly. Sean's name is written in a big bold font, and the title falls underneath in blue. Kennedy's name being larger than the title is a metaphor for the record's themes.

## Graphics

### Photoshoot

The photoshoot for *What's Left Unsaid* was shot by Charles Zanetti on January 10, 2021. On May 21, 2021, Sean shared the album cover and track list on social media. Footage from the shoot was featured in the album trailer and the Spotify canvases for "Rebound" "Better Off" and "This Moment", as well as in the *Where I Am* documentary.

* Look 1
* Look 2
* Look 3

### Packaging

Standard Edition artworkTrack List
(Standard Edition)Disc
(Standard Edition)
### Digital Booklet

1/10
## Singles

The cover art for the album's lead single, "Regret" was unveiled from February 15-17, 2021. On February 19, a teaser was released, officially announcing the single, and the track was made available for preorder the same day. The song was officially released on March 12, 2021 alongside its music video. "Regret" made its radio debut on May 15, 2021 on 100.7 WHUD.

The cover art for the album's second single, and first promo single, "Retrospect" was unveiled from April 13-15, 2021. It was officially announced on April 16, 2021, and released on April 23, alongside an official lyric video.

The album's third single, and second official single, "Cross Your Mind (feat. Giuliana Calandrucci)" was released alongside the rest of the album on June 11, 2021. It was announced as the album's third single the same day, and the music video premiered on July 23, 2021. An acoustic remix was released on August 6, 2021.

On January 22, 2022, Sean announced that "Happy Birthday" would be the fourth and final single from the record, and shared a teaser for the song's music video. The video premiered on January 26, 2022. Kennedy explained that he wanted to make a visual for the song since he had written it.

"**Regret**""**Retrospect**""**Cross Your Mind**""**Happy Birthday**"
## Tour

*Main article: What's Left Unsaid: Live*

***What's Left Unsaid: Live*** was a concert by Kennedy in support of his third studio album. The show was apart of the concert series, *Saturday in the Parks*, put on by Kennedy's hometown. The show was announced on July 16, 2021 and took place on August 21. It was Sean's first concert in almost two years, since *Meals, Wheels and Deals*. Proceeds from the show were donated to the 15forLife Foundation.

## Personnel

### Musicians

* Sean Kennedy – acoustic guitar, bass guitar, drum programming, electric guitar, keyboards, organ, percussion, piano, strings programming, synthesizer
* Evan Volkman – electric guitar programming, drum programming, synthesizer (Track 8)

### Production

* Roman Erafficci – engineer, mastering, mixing
* Sean Kennedy – engineer, mastering, mixing, production, programming
* Evan Volkman – engineer, production (Track 8)

### Visuals and Design

* Sean Kennedy – creative director, graphic design
* Charles Zanetti – photography

### Singers

* Giuliana Calandrucci - lead vocals, background vocals (Track 2)
* Sean Kennedy – lead vocals, background vocals

## Scrapped Tracks

It is unknown how many tracks Kennedy wrote and recorded for his third LP. The only confirmed scrapped track is a song that Kennedy revealed he had given to Evan Volkman to consider for his debut album.

* Mixed Signals

## Original Album Titles

Sean briefly spoke about his thoughts of originally naming the album *My Worth*. However, Kennedy's family did not like it as the title, and Sean listed some of his other ideas about what he could name the record, prior to landing on *What's Left Unsaid*.

* My Worth
* Retrospect
* Sean Kennedy
* What You Don't Know

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Somers Junior Releases Third Album (June 17, 2021).
2. ↑ Sean’s Instagram post on the album release day (June 11, 2021).
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Where I Am".
4. ↑ Sean’s Teaser on Twitter (January 9, 2021).
5. ↑ Sean’s Activity (February 12, 2021).
6. ↑ Regret Cover Reveal (February 15, 2021).
7. ↑ Sean Kennedy - Regret.
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Sean's "WLU" Story Highlight.
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 What's Left Unsaid Trailer (May 21, 2021).
10. ↑ What's Left Unsaid on BandCamp.
11. ↑ "Rebound" on Spotify.
12. ↑ "Better Off" on Spotify.
13. ↑ "This Moment" on Spotify.
14. ↑ Happy Birthday Teaser.
15. ↑ Sean's Tweet About Happy Birthday.
16. ↑ Saturday in the Parks: What's Left Unsaid.