Music Review: Kim Smith – “Human”
- Bryon Harris
- Jul 29
- 2 min read
Featured on The Compassion Project: Songs for Animal, Human, and Earth Justice
Label: Artists & Activists Records
The opening track of The Compassion Project: Songs for Animal, Human, and Earth Justice — a powerful compilation album scheduled for release on September 5, 2025 — sets a profound tone for the entire collection. In “Human,” Asheville-based singer-songwriter Kim Smith delivers a soul-stirring call to awakening with haunting intimacy and emotional grace.
From the first gentle sounds of her acoustic guitar, “Human” invites listeners into a sacred space. The melody is wistful and memorable — flowing like a quiet stream carrying a deep emotional current. Smith’s earthy alto voice enters with the question, “How do we hold each other’s hand?” — a deceptively simple line that pierces straight to the heart.
Produced by Chris Rosser, the song’s arrangement is sparse yet powerful, allowing space for its emotional and spiritual weight to resonate. Light percussion and delicate string counter-melodies weave through the track like threads of gold, while understated vocal harmonies gently rise and fall beneath the melody.
The chorus is the heart of the song’s message:
“Every little thing is connected — your soul, my soul, our spirits. Deep down inside, we know it’s time. We have to be taught to be human.”
With this refrain, Smith taps into the urgent, timeless truth that compassion — for each other, for animals, for the Earth — must be learned, nurtured, and reclaimed. The song is a meditation on our interconnectedness and a challenge to shed apathy. Her lyrics address themes like greed and hunger while offering a path forward rooted in empathy and inner transformation.
Inspired by a message Smith received following the passing of her beloved animal companion Barley, “Human” channels grief into healing. She writes, “The song is calling us to have empathy that overflows to the point of knowing that we cannot look away from the abuse of animals…They are the way to the truth and light.” This depth of conviction shines through every note.
Kim Smith’s “Human” is more than a song — it is a prayer, a protest, and a promise. A moving debut for The Compassion Project, it sets the stage for a collection of songs that aim to reawaken our sense of connection and conscience.
About The Compassion Project
The Compassion Project: Songs for Animal, Human, and Earth Justice is a genre-spanning compilation album set for release on September 5, 2025, by Artists & Activists Records. Each song on the album explores themes of empathy, justice, and our deep interconnectedness with all life. From human rights to environmental advocacy to animal liberation, the album challenges listeners to reflect and take action. Artists & Activists Records — an Austin-based, mission-driven label — is dedicated to using music as a force for positive change. The label supports artists who use their art to champion animal rights, human compassion, and the healing of our planet.
Listen to Kim Smith🌐 ReverbNation▶️ YouTube🎵 Available on Spotify
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