Embracing a poppier sound on her newest release, Serbian-born Australian singer-songwriter Maja returns with another thought-provoking track relatable to many.
A sassily stylish, spirited ode to loyalty in friendships and the disconnect that occurs when one side doesn't make the time to allow the relationship to flourish, 'Not Picking Up' bursts with an emotion intensity that'll get you right in the feels.The song starts off dripping in melancholy, Maja singing about the frustration felt with her friend.
"I wrote it about a female friend who made no time for me and kept prioritising her boyfriend over the friendship.
"And I thought 'you know what – it doesn't feel equal. I'm not going to be there for you anymore. This time I'm not picking up',” Maja says.
"Inspired by the likes of Amy Winehouse, it is really a song about letting go, inconsistency and neglect in friendships, and telling the people you don't like anymore, to take a hike."
Ahead of the song's release tomorrow (26 August), scenestr is thrilled to premiere 'Not Picking Up' today. Enjoy.
The origin of the song came about somewhat unexpectedly after an invite to a studio. "The writing and recording process came about really randomly actually! My friend Sean Frayne, who is also a songwriter, invited me to a studio in Melbourne to just collaborate.
"And [he] asked me to write about something I was feeling in the moment, and I was feeling frustrated at my friend who had been really inconsistent. And I just started with a four-chord progression and made it on the spot that day.
"I didn't really see the song going anywhere! I was just trying to be in the moment and express myself, so I guess that's when the best art comes out!
"For this sound, I was really inspired by Taylor Swift's 'Reputation' album and 'Crazy' by Kehlani.
"There is also a music video that will be coming out soon that I'm excited to share. I hope people find it really self-empowering and different to my older stuff."
Maja 2022 Tour Dates
Sat 17 Sep - Bucking Seahorse (Sunshine Coast)Mon 31 Oct - Junk Bar (Brisbane)
Fri 2 Dec - Some Velvet Morning (Melbourne)
