No matter what happens in this world, the sun will always rise and set—a comforting and reassuring fact that mxmtoon's new EP dawn embraces with astounding clarity.
Dropped today via AWAL, dawn serves as a first instalment in a two-part EP project, with its sister release dusk to be released later in 2020. Today the 19-year-old Brooklyn-based singer songwriter, who has already earned over 450 million streams worldwide, has also released new single lessons.
“My mind constantly runs rampant with questions about myself, my relationships, and my place in the world. One thing I’ve tried to be better at as the years have gone by though, is letting go. The ability to let yourself live in the moment rather than worrying all the time can be difficult, but to remember that each day is simply an opportunity to grow and learn is a lesson we all have to face. Life is full of teachable moments, and allowing yourself the space to make mistakes and to become better from those is vital. Lessons serves as a reminder to be kind to yourself, to trust your instincts, and live life with purpose. It’s not easy to remember this at all points in life, but my hope is that this song can leave this sentiment echoing in your brain, at least for a little while,” says maia, the self-professed “over thinker.”
The first body of work since her critically acclaimed debut album the masquerade last year, dawn finds mxmtoon pushing her sound further than ever before, embracing lush soundscapes and pulsing beats.
Featuring first single fever dream and recent track quiet moments it's body-moving music for the heart and soul, a soothing and intimate collection of songs inviting us further into mxmtoon's fascinating, quixotic sonic world.
The thematic bent of dawn speaks to our uncertain times while embracing a general truism that's always important to remember: "I wanted to remind people that things will be okay and even on the darkest day, the sun still rises," maia states. "I want to lift people up. I still love making sad songs, but I wanted to make something that felt refreshing to me this time."
Dawn is the latest exciting chapter for mxmtoon, who started playing music at six years old and was trained classically on violin and cello. As her musical studies continued, maia eventually gravitated towards the guitar and ukulele—the latter instrument shaping the very foundation of her musical career.