Based in Los Angeles, California and Boston, Massachusetts, Maya Lucia is a standout singer-songwriter, capturing raw emotion and crafting lyrical poetry. Lucia hails from the suburbs of Minneapolis and was inspired by the Minneapolis music scene, beginning song-writing at 8 years old. Now, some years later, Lucia’s latest single ‘Woken Up’ is an indie-pop dream disguised as some form of a love letter. The Murray WOW- produced track only took two vocal takes to record, which is surprising considering the flawlessness of Lucia’s soothing tones that lulls the listener into a hazy state.

Listen to Maya Lucia – woken up via YouTube below or Spotify

‘Woken Up’ is introduced by dissonant, muted guitar behind ‘tell me I’m complicated’, immediately baring all, lyrics presenting themselves to be coming straight from the speaker’s brain and unapologetically honest. An absence of percussion and meticulous use of reverb throughout adds to the song’s ethereal presence.

“I never wanna be // woken up” eponymous for the song’s title, is its standout line, the speaker presumably perpetually submerged in a dream to avoid painful reality. I initially assumed the song was speaking to an ex or deserted lover, aiming to convey a sense of loss and dreamlike state I’ve certainly experienced myself in a break-up. However, Lucia’s intention run deeper than this- commenting on the song lyrics on genius.com: ‘this song is ultimately about a friend of mine that passed away…’ Various references are made throughout to Lucia’s lost friend, her life remaining ‘tainted by the things you love’ referring to haunting reminders of her passed friend that makes her ‘feel their absences the most’. The outro is a touching voicemail from them- “I hope you hear this and you laugh. I hope you think it’s funny.”

The talent of ‘Woken Up’ is that its poignancy could apply to various situations; everyone has lost someone they can’t get back, no matter the context. The sort of song that soothes, but also feels like a personal attack that makes you want to cry your eyes out.

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