Mae Muller Opens Up About What is “So Annoying”
A couple representatives here from Soul Talk Magazine had the opportunity this past week to listen to what U.K. Popstar Mae Muller had to say about confidence, creativity during isolation, and her latest and future releases. Muller is a rising artist from London and is most notably known for her witty lyrics and empowering messages. She is recognized by her singles “Therapist,” “Anticlimax,” “I Don’t Want Your Money,” and more that have accumulated over 100 million streams on a global scale. Most recently, Muller released a single called “so annoying” in August and will be releasing her new EP no one else, not even you on November 6th.
Muller had a lot to say about her upcoming EP, no one else, not even you. She commented that “there's a lot of emotions, a lot of different moods. I think because the songs on there span over the past couple of years.” She described the EP as leaning more towards pop music, which she feels more authentically represents her sound. She noted how proud she is of every song on there, teasing that they are very different yet still complement one another.
“There's songs on there of people that I've met recently; so it kind of shows all the variations of emotions you go through in a relationship. And there's one song on there which shows a bit more of a sad side. You know ‘she's not cold all of the time, she has a heart.’ So I think it's just showing a bit more of my personality and I'm looking forward to seeing how people take it.”
Apart from the awaited EP release, Muller recently dropped her single “so annoying” which describes the side of fresh relationships that people may not always want to address. She partnered with Rick Knowles to make the song and the idea sprung up from a conversation she had with him. When mentioning a person she had been seeing, instead of acknowledging the “honeymoon effect” of fresh emotions, she saw it as quite annoying - which crafted the title of the catchy song.
“We were just talking about the idea of how you would think that falling in love should be the best thing ever; but really it can be a bit of an inconvenience. It is a bit annoying. And I thought it was such a conversational way to put it. So that's kind of how it grew.”
“Listen to “so annoying” here: https://open.spotify.com/album/08c3AwJL9aHA4lP9EQcx7g?si=AZrVVstISxuxj11KJMcwbA”
Like most of Muller’s songs, “so annoying” blends unapologetic themes with vulnerability, a combination she has coined to her style. She acknowledges that her music is entirely honest and delved into how women are pressured to portray perfection in the media while in reality “we have our off days and it's good to show that and show a more vulnerable side.” A large proportion of Muller’s audience is composed of young women and she hopes to spread the message through her music that it is okay to be an outspoken woman and that you should not be afraid to use your voice. Muller said that when people listen to her music, she wants them to feel like “I’m that bitch.”
“I make music for anyone and everyone who decides to listen to music. But I think obviously as a woman, I think my immediate target audience is young women because I'm writing from experience. I think I just want people to listen to my music and feel empowered... I write the songs that I wish I could have listened to when I was 15, because I wasn't always this outspoken, sassy person. I used to let people walk all over me and I've given other people so much power over me as well. And so I'm kind of making up for that now, because I've got this newfound voice and confidence... And I think if I can help somebody else, it's definitely a bonus.”
Like everyone during the pandemic, Muller has experienced shifts in her creativity. She explained that deriving lyrics and content straight from her emotions gets tiring after a while and finds herself needing to take breaks when this happens - “it's important to know when to just take a step back, and then come back when you're feeling a bit rejuvenated.” She further commented that forcing work will only make you more miserable and there is nothing wrong with trying something else when confronted with “creative slumps.”
Muller crafted her career from uploading her music to platforms such as Soundcloud where she could freely release music for the sole reason of sharing it. The current generation is leading the “do it yourself” movement in music, allowing all walks of talent to share their work online without needing a label at first. In Muller’s case, she attracted management and a fanbase after releasing on platforms like Soundcloud. She offers a lot of advice to those who are hesitant about pursuing their goals in the future:
“My advice is, it's not a race. For me I know that I was comparing myself to everyone else's journey when everyone is so different and what is right for you will happen in your own time. Stop comparing yourself first and foremost. Then second, wherever you're thinking of doing or doubting, just do it, just make that first step… Whatever it is, whether it's posting that first video or emailing that one person asking for an opportunity, put your pride aside and all your doubts and just do it.”
Muller’s outreach is not limited to just her musical career, she has also taken initiative on her social media platforms where she advocates for movements and topics that are important to her - “as an artist it's [about] way more than music. I want to make my page a safe space for everyone and also if something is important to me, I'm going to talk about it.” She has additionally started a written magazine called “MaeZine” where she shares inspiration regarding music, fashion, lifestyle, and more.
“Read MaeZine here: https://www.maemuller.com/maezine/”
Amidst the array of new content right now, Mae Muller brings to the table music that is raw and provoking while also delivering something that will give you the extra confidence to get through the day. Make sure to stream no one else, not even you when it comes out November 6th and listen to “so annoying” in the meantime.
For about Mae Muller:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maemuller/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1BEUkE2CSUgHTLSBMZdnFB?si=vyjTRgrRRcWlahwW7aw7pA