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| Photo by: Lizzie O'Donnell |
With inspirations ranging from The Cure to Janet Jackson, GRAE's well-versed musical taste and exceptional songwriting echo through each song she shares with the world. Writing music since the age of 10, this Toronto singer-songwriter returns with a new EP.
Permanent Maniac follows her well-received 2019 EP New Girl – praised by the likes of Complex, FLARE and Popdust. In the short time since her debut, GRAE has accumulated over three million streams, graced the cover of playlists, won SOCAN's "Young Canadian Songwriters Award," and had her music featured on major TV shows including Nancy Drew, Queen Sugar, LA's Finest, The Real World Atlanta and The Bold Type.Permanent Maniac's title track and accompanying music video, ties together the best of today's bedroom pop and yesterday's psychedelic flair to create a modern nostalgia. The visuals – reminiscent of our Y2K bedrooms, aims to personify the close connection between adolescents, infatuation and music.
This reminiscent and glistening feeling carries throughout the EP's six tracks, navigating through relatable recollections inspired by GRAE's own personal experiences.
"2725" – the first love song GRAE has ever written and released, carries on the EP's melodically melancholy vibe, with an undeniable yearning for love and connection that resonates through it's verses and vocals. Already making it onto the Indie Pop & Chill, Pop Sauce and Canada Radar Spotify lists, the vibrant single from Permanent Maniac is bound to be a favourite.
Not so much about love as it is loss, "Ex Lovers" is a track penned from the experience of trying to get over a past partner.
“‘Ex Lovers’ was written during a time in my life where I was dating people just to get over a certain person. I convinced myself there was something real in these relationships when really, I knew there wasn’t. In one of the cases actually, it felt like that person was doing the same thing, trying to get over an ex by dating me, and we found ourselves in the same position, which is where the line 'maybe we’re just using one another' came from. We were both trying to get back at our ex lovers.”
GRAE opens up about many different topics – from sexuality to love, lust and loss, which come together in constructing an expressive, heartfelt, and personal record. Her sophomore collection combines her stellar songwriting with infectious pop hooks, indie chords and smokey vocals – doused in female empowerment.
One of her powerful numbers – written about the judgement of womxn discussing sexuality, is her single "Slow Down," on which she opens up a different, more intimate side of herself.
“I hope the womxn listening to this song feel the same way I did when I wrote it, that feeling of control and power. I think it’s important to cancel this stigma that womxn can’t enjoy anything casual. Having a healthy relationship with your own sexuality is important.”
Each and every one of GRAE's beautifully written ballads ooze alluring vocals with top-notch lyricism and instrumentation. From start to finish, Permanent Maniac ebbs and flows through a stunningly atmospheric spectrum of elation and melancholy. Listeners are bound to get lost in the music with GRAE's raw yet airy vocals; ravishing storytelling and impeccable fusion of mystical indie-pop.
PERMANENT MANIAC TRACKLISTING:
PERMANENT MANIAC
2725
EX LOVERS
BANG BANG
SLOW DOWN
TAXI
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