Maya Hawke debuts “Missing Out,” the lead single from her upcoming album, Chaos Angel, set to release on May 31st through Mom+Pop. Chaos Angel marks the versatile artist’s third album, following the success of her acclaimed sophomore release, Moss, which gained attention with its viral hit single “Thérèse.” Collaborating once again with Moss co-songwriter Christian Lee Hutson for production, and enlisting contributions from longtime collaborators Benjamin Lazar Davis and Will Graefe, Chaos Angel delves into the profound themes of love, heartbreak, and resilience.
Despite being just 25 years old, Maya has earned global praise for her exceptional songwriting and clever, storytelling lyrics. “Missing Out” is a clever yet poignant reflection, inspired by Maya’s time spent near her brother’s college campus, immersing herself in the collegiate experience she missed out on. The track is accompanied by a visually stunning music video with science-fiction elements, directed by Alex Ross Perry.
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR “MISSING OUT” HERE
STREAM “MISSING OUT” HERE
PRE-SAVE ‘CHAOS ANGEL’ HERE
Of the song’s storyline, Maya says, “There was actually a girl who went to Brown, where my brother goes to college, and we were all going around saying what our wish was for ourselves. She said, I want to write the next great American novel. It was the moment where I felt older than everyone because I laughed so hard. I was like, “You are so far down the wrong track!” Wish to write a novel. That would be a miracle. Don’t wish to write the next great American novel, that’s a nightmare! It made me feel I actually am a different place in my life than these people I was around. It totally inspired this whole song.”
In “Chaos Angel,” Maya Hawke delves deeper into her signature spare yet profoundly honest songwriting, delivering her most sonically sophisticated and thematically nuanced collection to date. Across the album’s 10 tracks, Maya explores upheavals, revelations, and the complexities of human experience, reflecting on the patterns we encounter as we navigate life’s journey.
The album’s central theme revolves around a figure initially believing themselves to be a god of love, only to realize the havoc they’ve wreaked. After grappling with self-loathing, the chaos angel undergoes a transformation, finding beauty amidst the wreckage. This narrative parallels Maya’s own journey throughout the album, as she explores snapshots of her experiences, leading to a newfound understanding of herself. The chaos angel serves as a symbolic presence, part guardian, part alter-ego, guiding Maya through her introspection.
“Chaos Angel” also showcases Maya’s growth as a musician, with tracks anchored by her graceful vocals and acoustic guitar but surrounded by intricate and lush arrangements. While the album touches on themes of sadness and reflection present in her previous works, it ultimately exudes a sense of acceptance and resilience. Maya embraces the cyclical nature of life, recognizing what can be left behind and what remains constant, ultimately concluding that dwelling on regret is a waste of time. In the end, “Chaos Angel” emerges as a portrait of a person in flux, navigating complexities and evolving along the way.
PRAISE FOR MAYA HAWKE:
“Throughout ‘Moss,’ Hawke’s earnest, sincere lyricism interlocks the public and private, overlapping reality and fiction to reflect how she has had to negotiate both spaces in life.” – Pitchfork
“With a soprano voice like a certain warmth that spills from department store speakers, she’s established a sound that’s wholly her own and still blossoming.” – FLOOD Magazine
“Hawke has blossomed into an increasingly excellent songwriter.” – NME
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