Kimiko Glenn Announces Debut EP, Modern Dance, And Releases Self-Directed Single, Emotional Whiplash

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best arts and entertainment magazine UK“, Kimiko Glenn, the beloved Orange Is the New Black star, makes her highly anticipated music debut with the release of her catchy new single “Emotional Whiplash” and announces her debut EP Modern Dance.

Multi-talented artist, actress, and performer Kimiko Glenn is stepping into the music spotlight with her debut EP Modern Dance, set for release on May 29. Under her musical project KIMIKO, the Los Angeles-based star has also unveiled her latest track “Emotional Whiplash,” along with its official music video, which she directed herself. The song is available now and received an exclusive premiere via FLOOD Magazine.

Exploring the Highs and Lows of Modern Romance in “Emotional Whiplash”

“Emotional Whiplash” is a contemplative pop ballad that gradually builds around Kimiko’s dreamy vocals. The track captures the intense push and pull often experienced in the early stages of a relationship destined to fail, particularly the disorienting experience of love-bombing followed by sudden withdrawal.

Drawing directly from personal encounters, the song reflects situations where initial intense affection quickly shifts to hesitation. One anecdote involves a date who claimed to have deleted dating apps and told his parents about her, only to accuse her of moving too fast when she suggested scheduling another meeting. The song blends vulnerability with humor, turning frustrating dating experiences into something more lighthearted and relatable.

A Striking Directorial Debut

The music video for “Emotional Whiplash” marks Kimiko’s first time directing. It features striking visuals set in an eerie room filled with mannequins, a vast desert landscape, and a mechanical bull ride—each scene symbolizing the emotional extremes and instability of an unsteady relationship.

Transitioning from performer to director proved both empowering and challenging. As an actress, Kimiko is accustomed to following directions, but leading a project of this scale required her to make all the creative decisions. She described the process as intense, with many late nights filled with anxiety, but ultimately rewarding as the final product came together.

Therapeutic Creation and Pop Inspiration

Creating her debut EP Modern Dance served as a fun and therapeutic outlet for Kimiko. By finding humor in her own dating mishaps and “situationships,” she was able to make the experiences feel less overwhelming and more absurd.

She drew inspiration from the current wave of relatable female pop artists who openly address modern romance. Listening to musicians like Sabrina Carpenter and Lily Allen felt validating, and Kimiko hopes her own music can offer similar comfort and connection for listeners navigating today’s dating landscape. She has expressed excitement about sharing more of her inner world through future releases.

In October 2025, she previously shared the cheeky track “Hang Out Forever?,” which humorously depicts a date that starts well but quickly unravels. These releases signal her commitment to a musical style defined by bubbly production, brutally honest lyrics, and lighthearted storytelling drawn from real life.

A Decade-Defining Career On Screen and Stage

Kimiko Glenn has built an impressive career across television, film, animation, and theater over more than ten years. She is widely recognized for portraying Brook Soso on Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black, a role that earned her and the ensemble cast three Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series.

Her television credits include series regular roles on TBS’s The Guest Book and the YouTube Original Liza on Demand. She has also appeared in Sacred Lies, High Maintenance, Broad City, The Goldbergs, History of the World, Part II, and more.

On the big screen, Kimiko has featured in Netflix’s Can You Keep a Secret opposite Alexandra Daddario, Freeform’s Ghosting, New Line’s Nerve alongside Emma Roberts and Dave Franco, and other films.

She has become a prominent voice in animation, voicing the titular character in Nickelodeon’s Baby Shark, Niffty in Amazon’s Hazbin Hotel, and Kiff in Disney’s Kiff (which received four Children & Family Emmy nominations). Additional credits include Centaurworld, My Little Pony: A New Generation, Over the Moon, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (as Peni Parker, a role she reprised in the sequel and will return for in the third film), and upcoming projects such as the Netflix adaptation of Among Us and Star Wars Visions.

On Broadway, Kimiko originated the role of Dawn in the musical adaptation of Waitress, which received a 2016 Tony Award nomination for Best Musical.

Looking Ahead

With “Emotional Whiplash” now available and Modern Dance arriving on May 29, Kimiko Glenn is carving out a distinctive space in music that complements her already celebrated work in entertainment. Fans can expect more honest, witty, and heartfelt songs that reflect the realities of modern relationships.

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