The unwittingly charming songstress known as Mae Muller once again captured the hearts of listeners with her endearing new single “So Annoying,” a song about the addictive ebb and flow of love that seem so difficult to relinquish when blinded by its euphoria.
The MouthSoap had a chance to chat with the rising UK popstar during a press conference where we would not only discuss her new single and have an exclusive listen to her unreleased song “Dependent,” but also gain greater insight into a star in the making and the embodiment of what modern-day female empowerment looks like.
Instead of taking the conventional route of flaunting her sex appeal or material possessions, Muller rather use her platform to address issues that affect her generation, such as social injustice, the false imagery of Instagram and everyday insecurities.
“I just want people to listen to my music and just feel empowered,” Muller said. “If someone’s got them down or they’re having a bad day, and they put it on and they’re like, ‘You know what, I’m actually amazing, I’m actually a bad bitch. That person that annoyed me, that’s their loss.”
Her auspicious goal is to embed that belief into women all around the world. However, along with the independent and boss mentality, she feels it’s important for women to show vulnerability and have off days.
“It’s ok to not be this like sassy, powerhouse this whole time,” she said. “With this new wave of powerful, independent, amazing, strong women, I feel like sometimes you feel you have to be like that all the time. Your like, ‘No, no. I’m stronger. I’m a boss’ — Sometimes we have our off days and it’s good to show our vulnerable sides. That’s just real.”
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This has become even more necessary during a time in history where technology dictates the very makeup of society. The singer is more than transparent about the poignant pressures of growing up with social media, especially regarding Facetune, an editing app that alters photos.
“With the whole Facetune thing, I just think I owe it to anyone that is on Instagram because I know how hard it is to, like, see these ideas of beauty and — pressures society put on people, I feel it,” Muller said. “It just didn’t sit right with me. I had girls commenting on my pictures like, ‘I’m so ugly, I wish I look like you. I would die to look like you.’ I was just like, ‘No, no, no, this is not right.’ I’m not going to stop using Facetune, that’s never going to happen, just going to put that out there. But, I needed to show these girls that this is not real. What you see is not what you get.”
Muller admits that she once was a person that would falter to the cavils of people and often let people walk over her. But, that would all change with one watershed moment.
Working at a bar, Muller was a bit overwhelmed with life, not knowing what she wanted to do. Although she felt lost, she was aware of her singing talent and the fact that she did not want to go to university. She decided to record her very first song “Close.” It wasn’t the most perfected piece of art, according to Muller, but instead of pinning over perfection and sitting on it, she mustered up the courage to post it on SoundCloud.
“I was comparing myself to everyone else’s journey, when it’s like everyone is so different and what will happen for you is in your own time,” Muller continued. “Stop comparing yourself, first and foremost. Second, whatever you’re thinking of doing and doubting, you’re not sure, just do it. Make that first step. When I wrote that song “Close,” it seems like a lifetime ago now, I was like I can just put it on SoundCloud, it’s free. I can just upload it. Why am I not doing it? So, I just made that first step having no idea what would happen. That’s the thing, what is the worst that can happen?”
It was the best decision she could’ve made because a few years later she has managed to build a portfolio of music that includes her two EPs After Hours and Frankly, debut studio album Chapter 1 and a collection of singles that include, “Anticlimax,” “Dick,” “Therapist,” and “I Don’t Want Your Money.”
It’s an impressive evolution, yet her persona is one of an artist who is just starting out. The 23-year-old music artist has a distinctive way of communicating her emotions and it’s apparent throughout all of her music which she draws from personal experiences.
Some would say that Muller’s style of music, to great effect, is analogous to the tongue in cheek approach of Lilly Allen, where sassy sarcasm and humor mask a deeper meaning. It’s no surprise that she aspires to one day collaborate with Rihanna, another female music artist who enforces the power of femininity in her music.
Yet, the meat and bones of Muller’s messages carry the eager hunt for love reminiscent of (dare we say) the formidable Lauryn Hill where there’s always an underlining soulful sadness. Nonetheless, the comparisons are compliments. For Muller, she simply sees her music as a way to protect herself from heartbreak.
“I think for me, it’s kind of like a defense mechanism, in a way. If I’m feeling kind of rubbish about something or — most of the time, these songs, these sassy songs, I’m actually kind of hurt and someone really hurt my feelings. But, my way of dealing with that is kind of making a joke out of it to bring joy to other people. Then, it kind of makes me understand, like, it’s really not that deep.”
In that fashion, Muller penned “So Annoying” from her forthcoming sophomore album No One Else, Not Even You after having a casual conversation in the studio. Not one to just jump into creating music without first getting to know the person she’s making music with, Muller started sharing her experience about a new guy that she really liked, but felt like the uncertainty of being in a blossoming relationship was just “so annoying.”
Her upcoming single “Dependent” falls in the same theme of wanting love, but not liking the ensuing fallout of losing control and independence. Upbeat in tempo and lyrically mature, “Dependent” faces the reality of possibly losing yourself in a relationship.
“When I feel myself falling in love, I feel like, oh my god — I’m losing control,” Muller explains. “I’m depending on somebody else because their actions affect my happiness, if that makes sense. I could just be normal and, like, go along with it and have a good time. But, I’m always like, ‘No, I’m falling for them, this means that if something doesn’t go right.’” So, I just thought, it’s a bit annoying, isn’t it? Liking someone.
She continues, “But, I think once you get over that primary fear, because that’s kind of all it is, it’s like insecurity and not really knowing. But, independence is something that you create for yourself throughout your whole life. It’s a journey. Once you get there, nobody can take that away from you because no matter who comes into your life, you know, you’ve made that for yourself. So, it’s like, ‘if you leave, I might be a bit sad but I’m fine on my own so, see ya!’”
The interview with the “HFBD,” an acronym for happy fucking birthday, singer revealed several things. Fans are quickly learning that her music is totally relatable and real. Behind the music, however, Mae Muller is courageously confident, unconventionally forward-thinking, and unapologetically herself. It’s a mouthful, we know. Still, she doesn’t just talk the talk, she walks it, too. A modern-day super woman, Muller has more than claimed her stake in the female empowerment movement for the age of the Gen-Zer.
