If you ever wondered what being the main character sounds like, all you have to do is simply shuffle Maude Latour’s discography. The self-proclaimed “baby artist” is a 21-year-old rising indie popstar, finishing her final semester at Columbia University in New York City while also making her mark in the music industry. Though Maude Latour’s road to stardom has only just begun, her future in the industry is evidently bright, with her music reaching a following of over 1 million on Spotify and receiving positive reviews by major music publications like Billboard and Rolling Stone. I have proudly been a fan of Maude Latour since the very beginning, discovering her through TikTok when she had just dropped her first EP, Starstruck, in 2019. The rest is history!
Part of Maude’s charm is that she is so young compared to lots of artists, yet old enough to be aware of the complexities of life and love. Through her lyrics, I find that Maude looks at the world in a unique way: curious and bewildered, yet introspective and self-actualized. The latter makes sense, despite it not being the norm for someone so young to write about. Maude Latour happens to be a Philosophy major at her university and has revealed that some of her songs have been inspired by aspects of her studies. For example, she has discussed that her song “Lovesick” was greatly influenced by what she learned in one of her Philosophy lectures. Latour is somehow able to reference partying, finding love in the city, sleeping on someone’s apartment floor, and best friendships, while also pulling in ponderings of the meaning of life, big dreams/aspirations, and self-discovery–-sometimes multiple in one song. Her background, I believe, certainly strengthens the intellectual components of her songwriting, while having it also remain full of heart and emotion, which is difficult to master.
It’s no secret that Maude Latour is a talented songwriter, but the fact that she has the most beautiful voice to accompany her lyrics and a strong creative vision simply completes the package. Many listeners compare Maude’s voice to Lorde’s, with her alto and raspy tone. I definitely agree–if Lorde were ever to cover a Maude Latour song, it would sound pretty close to the original. However, Maude is no “Lorde-copycat”. She develops a very strong aesthetic for her music and her brand, and that aesthetic can be described as colorful, authentic, mesmerizing, and electric. One listen to Maude Latour and you’ll understand–as you listen, you’ll feel the bursts of electricity through you, just as Maude so obviously intended.
If you are only planning on checking out a few of Maude’s songs, at least let me give you some recommendations of my favorite ones. But, let me warn you, her music is irresistibly catchy…don’t be surprised if you end up devouring her entire discography after one listen. So, take a walk or lay on your bedroom floor in true main-character fashion, and press “play”…
- “Furniture”
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This is always my first recommendation for people who have never listened to Maude Latour’s music. Although it is a bit of an earlier release as the first single following her first EP, it remains one of my all-time favorites. The song captures train-of-thought style lyrics and honestly represents college life in one song. It’s effortlessly catchy and keeps finding its way back onto my playlists month after month.
- “Strangers forever”
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When this song was first released, I listened to it on repeat for about a week. Something about the flow and upbeat energy this song holds is just so empowering. It’s a breakup anthem in the most fun way possible.
- “Block your number”
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I believe that lyrically, this is one of Maude Latour’s best pieces. Again, the intentionally self-conscious lyrics mirror a train-of-thought writing style, which I am a sucker for. This one is also such a headbanger–it’s a song you can jump around to in your room on a particularly angsty day, or with friends.
- “Lovesick”
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“Lovesick” is one of Maude’s slower songs, and creates a simply mesmerizing tone. The lilting background vocals and harmonies will simply make you feel like you’re floating while taking in the beautiful and heartfelt lyrics Maude has to offer.
- “Headphones”
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In celebration of Maude’s latest release, I just had to add in “Headphones”! This song definitely stands out compared to her earlier releases and shows that experimentation and creativity are leading Maude closer and closer to her vision. I cannot wait for all that is to come in her later albums!