Originally Published on July 17th, 2025
About the Artist
I’ve been on a kick, lately, comparing independent artists to artists who are considered “mainstream,” (I have to use quotes because some independent artists are mainstream). It is curious to me who we choose to listen to vs. who we listen to a couple of times before we move on. Without going further into this, the point I would eventually be getting to is that, if we take away marketing, if we take away management, and we take away priority and preference by labels, radio, etc. and we focus on music, there are independent artists who could stand with-even take the place of-mainstream musicians. Droves of them.
“I’m lost on every train of thought I’ve ever had but I packed a granola bar and a pashmina so I’m set.” – Maisie May
California. For musicians who aspire to making it in the music industry, LA is most definitely one of the places to be. There is no shortage of talent in that town.
For instance, Maisie May, an independent artist and content creator, has steadily been releasing music and building an audience, since 2020. Her debut, 2 Smart 2 Cry, released in March of that year. It is an ambient soundscape supporting her smooth vocal performance. She released two more singles in 2020, Colors We Dreamt and Lost My Love, and then the single Face It in 2021.
Her first releases had more of an electronic influence but would fit into the category of pop.
In 2022, May started exhibiting progress with the production quality of her music. Releasing two singles; I Could’ve Sworn and in•fi•nite a year later in 2023. Still exhibiting an electronic influence, by this point the music was taking more of a minimalist approach and these releases more appropriately highlight her vocals. Incorporating layers and harmonies, May’s music showed clear signs of evolution.
in•fi•nite would mark the beginning of a shift in musical style for May that would not be as recognizable as her next release, … when you think of me. Shifting to more organics, …when you think of me incorporates guitar and is more alt pop.
After releasing a collaboration, May would make her most significant musical transition ahead of her first multi-track release. Stripping her music completely down and presenting her audience with an organic, indie folk, style of music that showcases a vulnerability in her that imprints onto the listener.
2much2give released on January 5th 2024, after the release of the singles, Small Talk, When in Doubt, and All In ❤. The most significant shift is how May takes a vintage approach to producing her vocals. This album almost feels like she stepped back and reimagined herself as an artist. It is intelligent writing, advanced production value, and quality performance.
May was in no way finished in 2024. One month after releasing her debut EP, she began releasing collaborations with indie artist, nurse. After releasing the singles Eden, Blonde Suburban Tragedy, Mourn u l8r, and Flirty Masochist, they released the EP, Flirty Masochist in August of 2024. This album is a blend of the alt pop and indie folk sounds May had been releasing more recently, but it infuses elements of minimalist roots-inspired electronic instrumentation.
Two months later, May would release the first of her last two singles of 2024, Trust Your Gut released in October and Secret Hiding Place released the following month, in October. After a year of steadily releasing music, May seemed to be honing into the blend of alt pop and indie folk styles of performance.
In 2025, Maisie May shows no signs of slowing down. Beginning in February, May has released one single every month ahead of her second solo multi track release in two years.
About the EP
blushing, brb is the second solo EP by California-based independent artist, Maisie May. It is a 7-song EP that plays at around 20 minutes. It features sequentially released singles beginning in February of 2025, with Denim [gap ad]. It was released by 20% tip studios on July 11th.
About the Music
Taking an evolutionary turn from the deep, authentic, and rooted folk influence of 2much2give, Maisie May exhibits the same folk influence in blushing, brb but fuses it with alt-pop and pop styles of music. The result is very catchy, very radio-ready music.
This isn’t a cookie-cutter album. The songwriting is very witty, very endearing, and unique. The album opener, Kicking my Feet (hot dummy diss track) is a song where May humorously explains the unexplainable attraction she has to very attractive but not so smart guys. How she’s aware that “the lights are on but nobody’s home,” and yet, she can’t resist rock hard abs and the deep, deep blue in the eyes of that vacant stare.
With r8myboyfriend [patent pending] is another song that is funny because, well, it’s not funny. As a guy, I’m embarrassed for the fact that there are guys in the world that compel people to write such truth bombs like this. She’s 100% right. She also might make a mint if she ever does launch this website. r8myboyfriend is a song about how the narrator wishes there was a website where profiles of boyfriends could be established to inform future interested parties of the good and bad that they could be getting into if the decision to pursue a relationship with them is being considered.
In blushing, brb, May is doing more than just establishing herself as a captivating songwriter. In addition to crafting intelligent lyrics, there are some moments of compelling music as well. Her vocal delivery is diverse. She offers layers upon layers of lead and backing vocals, beautiful melodies, backed by beautiful harmonies, and it is all driven by an emotional conviction to the music.
Final Thoughts
If I were to compare Maisie May to a mainstream artist today, it would hands down be Taylor Swift. I think May is approaching her music in a way that Swift has begun to approach hers. She is putting a pop spin on folk music and it’s incredible.
May has been on a tear releasing music. She is establishing a social media platform and these components are exhibiting an impressive amount of growth. Her music is radio-ready, with solid production value, great content, and a great sound. There’s no reason to think she is in any way going to be slowing down any time soon.
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