American Maia (sans last name) aka Mxmtoon became known through social media. She recorded her first EP using a Macbook in her bedroom, and on her debut
The Masquerade (2019) (which she wrote largely when she was 17) she took her listeners through the peaks and valleys of her own adolescence. When Rising comes out, she'll be an early twenty-something. As a result, her second album sounds more mature
… and the sound has evolved as well. She almost completely abandons the ukulele-lo-fi of her debut and focuses more on guitar music, making Rising a fresh indie rock record. Here and there, injections of electropop provide an upbeat sound. One of the themes on this album is self-growth. The growth the artist went through between her debut and this album is poured into songs with a smile and a tear. In addition to gaining more self-confidence, Maia also had to say goodbye to her grandfather. Thus, she balances uplifting lyrics with the necessary emotion, in beautifully written repertoire that once again underscores her talent. (JvQ)more
